Presents clogging up soldiers’ post

Well-wishers sending Christmas presents to soldiers in Afghanistan have been urged to stop – because they are clogging up the postal system and stopping letters and gifts from military families getting through.

Army bosses said they greatly appreciated the torrent of gifts sent to those serving abroad but appealed for them to make charity donations instead.

Major John Leeper, commanding officer of Operation Herrick Postal and Courier Squadron, based at Camp Bastion, said: “For personnel deployed overseas, personal mail from loved ones is very important.

“Unfortunately, though, the system can be completely overwhelmed by the public’s generous donations, which results in mail from family and friends being delayed.”