Most 30-year-old dads do not dream of pushing their body to its limit, let alone doing so in a war zone.

But Private Carl Lawrence is always up for a challenge – and that is what he got when he joined 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment.

This week, the Mercury revealed that about 80 Leicestershire troops from the battalion would be heading to Afghanistan in late spring.

Among them is Pte Lawrence, from Oadby, who is due to be married in eight weeks.

He is the oldest recruit to the battalion. The upper age limit for a regular soldier to join up is 33.

Pte Lawrence, who is based in Germany, has an eight-year-old daughter, Tiana, and step-children, Anthony, 11, and Jade, 13.

He said: "One of Tiana's friends told her Daddy could die, which upset her a bit.

"She says she doesn't want me dead but, hopefully, I will turn out to be a good role model.

"Being older than the rest makes me more cautious.

"If something happens, it's not just me who is going to be affected, it's my family – while the younger lads can't wait to go. I do want to go to Afghanistan but I don't want to leave my daughter without a father."

Pte Lawrence joined the battalion four months ago and is marrying partner Karan, 33, in September.

The former professional football for Lincoln City worked as a trainer at David Lloyd's gym, in Narborough, before signing up.

"My decision has surprised everybody but I wanted to change, I wanted to prove you're never too old to follow your dreams," he said.

Karan has been finalising the wedding plans at home in Oadby. She said: "He is ever so sensible so he'll be a good role model for the younger ones – he has a lot more life experience.

"Where they can't wait to get on the frontline, he wants to be a personal trainer in the Army, although he will still have to go to Afghanistan.

"I'm looking at the news every day because the people he trained with are there and I'm thinking of them.

"The kids don't like him being away, but we are all excited about moving to Germany."

Pte Lawrence's former boss at David Lloyd's, Karen Lapidge, said: "I was gutted when he left but it's the perfect job for him. He wants to fight for his country.

"He always wanted to help others but his main concern was always his girl.

"There are safety concerns but he has a good head on him and can deal with any situation."

Private Zack Minton proposed to police officer girlfriend Rachel Hewitt, 23, a few months ago. The couple plan to wed before April.

The 22-year-old, from Beaumont Leys in Leicester, joined the battalion in February. His dad, Bob, is in the Coldstream Guards and serving is all he ever wanted to do.

"The worst thing about the Army is being away from my fiancée, but we are both on the same wavelength and can cope with being apart," he said.

"Sometimes we have Facebook days when we can't talk to each other on the phone."

Rachel, of Evington, said: "It's a bit daunting thinking of him in Afghanistan but that's what they are trained to do."