For Cyprus read Shropshire - troops face 'mob' with spud missiles

But, to all concerned, this is in fact, a dusty street in Cyprus where rioters, drunk after an afternoon spent supping Ouzo, have launched an attack on UN peacekeeping forces, hurling stones and insults in their faces.

Time and again the mob rushes the soldiers who are armed with riot shields, batons, flack jackets and full face helmets.

Time and again they stand firm, repelling the attack.

The battle goes on for more than an hour, with substitutions being made on each side as the heat and barrage of missiles continue to rain down.

It is the final day of training at Nesscliffe Training Camp, near Shrewsbury and more than 260 members of the Mercian regiment have been on exercise completing training prior to gaining their blue UN peacekeeping berets and deployment to Cyprus.

It will be the first time the regular battalion 2 Mercian, which is sending 213 full-time soldiers, and reserve unit 4 Mercian, based in Wolverhampton, which is sending 62 reservists, have been deployed on an operation together.

Between the battalions, the youngest soldier is just 18 while the oldest is 53.

All will be spending six months in sector two of the Mediterranean island, where the UN has had a presence for almost 50 years. The island has three sector, one controlled by the Argentinians, the second by the UK and the third by countries from Eastern Europe.

The men come from all walks of life. Farmers, career soldiers, warehouse workers, teachers, IT consultants and raw recruits. For some this is their first tour of duty, others have seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But each has made a commitment to serve their country.

Private Archie Galbraith is due to become a father while serving in Cyprus. The 20-year-old joined up last year looking for a challenge. He had been a successful boxer but has given it up to concentrate on his soldiering. "I won 30 bouts in Civvie Street," said Archie. "But I wanted to concentrate on my army career so I have given it up.

"My girlfriend is due to have our baby in February so I will be counting the days until I come back off tour."

IT consultant Sergeant Alex Green joined the Army as a reservist in 1987. He was called up to serve in Afghanistan in 2009 and lost his job as a result. So he has now concentrated all his efforts on Army life and has seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan. "It is certainly going to be interesting as a peacekeeper in Cyprus," the 45-year-old said.

Private Anthony Webster has joined his brother, Jamie, in the battalion. "He has been in longer than me," said Anthony, 24. "I wanted to join after school but I have asthma so had to wait five years to get the all clear. There used to be a rivalry between us but since he went to Afghanistan that has stopped. He may be deployed with me but I am not sure."

Commanding the regiment is Lieutenant Colonel Shove Gilby. "We will have the role of maintaining the peace, the status quo in Nicosia, where we will be based and will be patrolling the Buffer Zone.

"We will take over from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards who have been there for the past six months. We have been receiving regular intelligence about the situation on the ground so we know what to expect.

"The Buffer Zone is between the Turkish area of north Cyprus and the southern Greek area. These are two different groups contesting over ground and we need to umpire that."

And this is where the riot comes in. Complete with observation posts, burnt out cars and Cypriot street names, it provides the perfect training area for troops.

"Nesscliffe is a unique camp. It is a closed environment so we have been able to recreate parts of Nicosia and keep them in situ for the duration of the training. It is a one stop shop and perfect for our needs,"said Lt Col Gilby.

And the training, which is being overseen by and with input from active UN peacekeepers, will ensure the men of the Mercian regiment are prepared for whatever is thrown at them - including potatoes.