JACKIE Hannaford of Kilkhampton has received dozens of letters from soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq thanking her for the parcels of 'treats' she sent to them in time for Christmas.

Jackie and her helpers held 'Treats for Troops' collections in November at the Co-op and Morrisons, Bude and Somerfield in Holsworthy.

In total they were able to send out 851 boxes of supplies to soldiers, including several knitted hats.

As well as receiving photos and a signed poster from the troops, Jackie has also been sent several letters of thanks.

A soldier, named Ian, wrote: "Just a quick letter to thank you and your team for the welfare boxes that were sent out to us for Christmas.

"I hope you realise that it means a lot to us out here. It's good to know that there are people back home that take a moment out of their normal duties to do such a great thing."

In a letter accompanying a photo of soldiers wearing the knitted hats, Andy wrote: "As you can see the hats fit well and didn't last long either once they got their hands on them.

"Thanks for all you have done for us out in Afghanistan."

A letter sent from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan read: "Christmas and New Year can be a lonely time when you are away from home and it is nice to know that people back home are thinking about us and care enough to buy useful items and send them out.

"For myself and those I work with, Christmas was a very quiet time, but we had a nice Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and a relaxing day watching DVDs. I have now been out here over five months and will shortly be going back home to my family, which I am really looking forward to."

Another soldier wrote to Jackie: "Not that there is ever a particularly good time out here, but Christmas can be especially difficult. It is a time for family and friends and being surrounded by people you love, which makes what you are all doing back in Bude all the more special.

"Apart from receiving the wonderful boost to morale that every parcels gives us — you have no idea what a 'real tea bag' does for the spirit in the morning.

"It is also heart warming to know that at least some of what we try to achieve is noticed and appreciated. Thank you.

"For me, knowing we are in people's thoughts back home makes it all the easier to be out here. It is, after all the little things in this place that make a huge difference, and the home comforts you sent went a long way to making this Christmas bearable."