UK troops to get Christmas hampers

British troops serving overseas are to get special Christmas hampers.

There are 14,000 operational servicemen in areas such as the Balkans, the Gulf, Afghanistan and the Falklands.

The hamper, one for each serviceman, have been supplied free by Tesco and contain items such as cakes, chocolate and snacks.

It set-up what it called Team Tesco to put the hampers together and deliver them to RAF Brize Norton and Portsmouth Naval base last week.

Dido Harding, Tesco commercial director, said: "Team Tesco has really gone into overdrive in the last week and thanks to the fantastic support of our staff and supplies we have been able to deliver a special surprise to the brave men and women serving around the world.

"For anyone, being away from family and friends at Christmas is difficult. But when you are thousands of miles away in a different and often hostile country it can only be many times worse."