AS THE Ship's Company of HMS Monmouth prepared to celebrate Christmas in the distant warmth of the Arabian Gulf, one of their number a Holsworthy boy — let slip his special Christmas connections.

Leading Seaman (UW) Steve 'Shep' Sheppard has served on board the Plymouth-based frigate for a whole decade and this year will celebrate his last Christmas with the ship.

As his duties involve watches in the ship's 'Ops' (Operations) Room, Steve was bracing himself for the obvious puns: "While Sheppard watches Ops by night," he grimaced good-naturedly.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.