A MOCK Afghan village is helping Royal Marines prepare for deployment to the war-torn Helmand Province, where they will use new linguistic skills to try to win over the locals.

A section of a residential area recreated at the Norton Fitzwarren Camp, near Taunton, Somerset, is helping 40 Commando to train for a 670-strong deployment in early April.

Yesterday, the Marines took part in a realistic demonstration, complete with blank rounds so loud that the assembled media were issued with earplugs. But they were keen to emphasise that it would be a "hearts and minds" operation, and violence would be an absolute last resort.

Marine Rob Milner, 22, has spent the last year learning the Afghan language of Pashto – spoken in Helmand – for eight hours a day. Despite the agonies of returning to the classroom, Mne Milner, from Taunton, now feels confident enough to be able to act as a translator for his unit and will negotiate with tribal elders in the province.

"I think it will make a big difference," said Mne Milner, who could say only a few words in the language when last in the war zone in 2007.

"Just being able to walk down the street and greet people really changes the way people respond. They're a bit friendlier and more willing to speak to you."

The Marine, who learned fluent Spanish as a child, is one of several to have taken the intensive course, which also gave invaluable cultural advice. Hand signals such as a thumbs-up or the "OK" sign of a pressing the index finger to the thumb are both highly offensive in Helmand.

Even non-linguists in the unit will be given some phonetic training, and will carry a card with the local lingo for "hello" and "stop".

Such communication could prove lifesaving. The locals often know where makeshift mines have been planted.

Lieutenant Commander Paul James said the mock village meant troops could train without travelling off-base. But he said it would be Afghans themselves who ultimately defeat the Taliban.

"It's not our war to win. It's going to be won by the Afghans. We are in their country to generate the right conditions, so the transition over to the Afghans can take place."