Soldiers returning from Iraq have threatened to sue the Ministry of Defence claiming they are suffering from Gulf War Syndrome.

Four soldiers who have returned from active duty say they are suffering from the same symptoms as those who fought in 1991.

The soldiers blame the multiple vaccinations administered before fighting Saddam's forces.

The solicitor representing the four, Mark McGhee, claimed their symptoms include depression, eczema and breathing problems.

"I personally have dealt with well in excess of 400 Gulf War One veterans. The symptoms which these individuals are experiencing are identical to those of the individuals I represent in relation to the first Gulf War conflict," he told the BBC.

The MoD has consistently rejected claims of Gulf War Syndrome, saying there is not enough evidence to confirm it exists.

Compensation to date has been settled on a case by case basis.

A spokesman for the department said it was not aware of the four soldiers' cases but a screening programme had been introduced to identify troops who had developed health problems.