DRAGOON SHOW; Iraq war zone pipers win top Classical Brits award.

Byline: Donna Watson

THE Royal Scots Dragoon Guards have won album of the year at the Classical Brit Awards for a record they made in an Iraqi war zone.

Spirit of the Glen: Journey was recorded in Basra during the regiment's tour of duty and beat albums by acts including Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins, Jonathan Ansell and Mike Oldfield.

Recorded in a tent in sweltering heat, it is the first instrumental record to win the album category, as well as being the first time non-professional musicians have won a Classical Brit.

Their album is thought to be the first professionally produced in a theatre of war.

Last year, the original Spirit Of The Glen, recorded in 2007, was pipped for album of the year by four-piece opera group Blake. Major Roger Macmillan, commanding officer C Squadron, said: "Wherever we go in the world, we will take the pipes and, if we can, we'll take the drums as well to have the full band with us."

The regiment have seen recent service in Afghanistan and have fought in the Middle East on four occasions dating back to the first Gulf War in 1991.

The awards, hosted by classically trained pianist Myleene Klass and chosen by a mix of the public and industry experts, will be broadcast on ITV1 next Tuesday at 10.35pm.

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PRIZE: Royal Scots Dragoon Guards with their award