How British soldiers can return a favour

THEY might not have the correct body armour, their soft-skinned Land Rovers might be highly vulnerable to improvised explosive devices, there might not be enough helicopters and their mums often have to buy the best webbing to carry equipment. Not for nothing are British soldiers in Afghanistan often known by their US counterparts, armed to the teeth with the latest kit, as the Borrowers.

But fear not, brave men and women of the armed forces, help is at hand, for when they go on exercise to the ranges of Cape Wrath, they will have the chance to add a vital accessory to their kit bags, essential for those quiet moments between being mortared or dodging insurgents' rocket-propelled grenades. It is, of course, the much anticipated pack of Cape Wrath playing cards.

The brainchild of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, the idea is that the winning 52 images of the area from a photographic competition will be used to illustrate packs of cards, which will then be distributed to the servicemen exercising in the area, which is home to only two full-time civilian residents, but many more red deer, badgers and golden eagles.

The RCAHMS will need to make sure adequate numbers are produced – they are bound to be in big demand from GIs looking to have favours returned.