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The tabloids proudly proclaim them as  ‘Our Boys.’

On location: Broken Britain being filmed

But after risking their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq or in other conflict zones around the world, soldiers from the British Army often get a rough ride when they return. So what's going on?

'Broken Britain' is a powerful 15-minute drama that asks some difficult questions about they way soldiers are treated in Britain. It's been made by 28-year-old Mark Ashmore from Salford:

"The film is about soldiers coming back and not being able to get into a pub because there’s a sign outside that reads: No hoodies, no track suit bottoms, no soldiers," he said.

"And it’s about what that sign represents in modern society," added Mark. "It’s discrimination and to not let them over the threshold of a public house – what does that say about us?"

Mark also cited the way soldiers from The Royal Anglian Regiment were treated by a minority of Muslim protesters on a recent homecoming parade .

Paratrooper

Mark researched the film talking to serving soldiers and ex-soldiers – young men like former paratrooper Barry Phillips who has a starring role in the film.

A heroes' welcome for returning soldiers

"You do all the training and you can handle the day-to-day grime," said Barry.

"But it’s when you come home to your country after fighting for it to find out that you can’t even go into a pub. It’s very common especially in the big garrison towns like Colchester and Aldershot."

"The more I learned the more I knew I had to make this film,” said Mark who claims to have discovered a shocking level of abuse directed at returning soldiers.

So why the signs outside pubs banning squaddies?

"What I found out was that it’s a misconception amongst the general public that landlords are expecting the soldiers to kick off," added Mark.

"Usually, it’s the locals who are wanting to show that they’re men and have a go and they’re the ones that kick off the fight. And of course, soldiers are a group that have fought, lived and work together. So they’re going to look after themselves."

Heroes

The film premieres at The Lowry (Thursday 19 March 2009) and follows Mark's début effort Your State of Emergency shown at The Cannes Film Festival in 2008.

Officers of the Royal Military Police will be at the premiere collecting for the soldiers' charity Help for Heroes.

Mark is now working on the follow up to Broken Britain, possibly his first feature length piece titled Big Boys Don't Send Postcards.