Westenra gets bulletproof vest in Iraq

Kiwi songbird Hayley Westenra donned a bulletproof vest during a visit to Iraq to perform in a bid to help raise moral among British troops.

Westenra's father, Gerald, told The Press the young singer would arrive back in London this morning after a whirlwind trip to Basra, in southern Iraq.

Westenra was invited to perform for British troops by an army brigadier who heard her sing at a charity concert at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

"She had a gap of a few days between her tour shows so she decided to go for it."

Her father said the trip was a "big deal" for the Christchurch singer.

"I spoke to her the night before she left and she was excited but slightly nervous. As parents we were naturally a bit worried because she was flying into a war zone and there is always a risk."

Westenra was issued with a bullet-proof vest for the visit, he said.

Her recent album Pure went to No. 1 on the British charts.

Reference: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4738150a1860.html