A ROYAL Marine on his first tour in Afghanistan made a splash by finding an unlikely way to deal with the searing heat.

Marine Mike Bulman, 26, from Witney, carries out patrols and operations in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, where temperatures can reach more than 50C (122F).

But he and his team, 42 Commando Royal Marines, have found an unusual way of escaping the conditions – a children’s paddling pool.

Mne Bulman said: “Someone got sent out a kid’s paddling pool so, after particularly long days, we’ve filled it up with cold water from the well to allow us to cool off.

“I think the record so far is six marines in at once – but it was a bit of a squeeze.”

Mne Bulman, who is the brigade’s machine gunner, is more than half way through a six-month tour of the Middle Eastern country.

As well as the gun, he also carries water, ammunition, kit and body armour – a total of up to 50 kilos.

He said: “I enjoy the job, but patrolling is certainly challenging with all the heavy weight in the heat.

“We have to make sure we drink plenty of water and watch out for one another. No matter what the circumstances, the banter among the lads keeps morale high – and we get each other through it.”

One of the brigade’s most important jobs is training the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF), which will eventually take over security from the international forces.

Mne Bulman said: “On average we carry out one of two patrols a day.

“Our presence in the communities not only deters the insurgents, but it helps to make the people feel safe, especially as more and more now, the Afghans are leading the patrols and engaging with the locals.

“That helps improve their confidence in the ANSF and lets them see the soldiers and police are capable of providing security here.”

Mne Bulman joined the marines in 2009. This time last year he was training for the job, learning everything from how to deal with an improvised explosive device to advanced marksmanship.

Since the start of the war in 2001, 375 British military personnel have died in operations.