Soldiers in Iraq send Christmas messages home to their families in the North-East.

Messages home: Marine Sean Ivey, 24, from Wingate. Driver Fleet Protection Group, Royal Marines: To my fiancee, Kate Anderson. Merry Christmas from the beautiful city of Basra. See you in the New Year, gorgeous. Love you more than anything. Sean.'

Lance Corporal Wayne Ansbro, 28, from Billingham, Cleveland. Reconnaissance troop 38 Engineer Regiment: To my Mum, Dad, Steve, Ellen, brother Shaun, girlfriend Clare and sons Reece and Lois. Merry Christmas from Iraq. I hope you all enjoy yourselves and I hope that there are going to be a few beers drunk for me. Best wishes for 2007. See you all soon.'

Private Patrick O'Brien, 18, from Darlington. Infantryman 2nd Battalion Light Infantry: Merry Christmas Mum, Dad and everyone that knows me. Hope you all have a good New Year. See you all soon. Patrick.'

Sapper Matthew Cole, 19, from Redcar. Signaller 38 Engineer Regiment:To all my family and friends. Hello everyone back home who knows me. Wish you were all here in Basra with the hot sun. Happy Christmas and all the best for a good New Year in 2007. Hope there are a few drinks waiting for me when I come home. See you all soon.'

Corporal James Leefe, 32, from Malton. Storeman, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment: To my wife, Jo, and daughter Natalie in Sherburn, the loves of my life. Happy Christmas and New Year. I Can't wait to see you. Miss you both. Take care.

Gunner Dominic Younger, 19, from Sunderland. Gunner, 40 Regiment Royal Artillery: To my Mum, Dad, brother and sister and fiancee, of Millfield, Sunderland. I am enjoying it out here. Take care and I love you loads. Merry Christmas. Dom.'

Warrant Officer (2) Ian Morrison, 35, of Thornaby. Warrior Armoured Vehicle Sergeant Major 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment To my wife, Carol, son James and daughters Amy and Jenny. Happy Christmas and a great New Year. Love you lots and missing you more. Mogga.'

Lance Corporal Dwain Tucker, 26, from Catterick. Vehicle Commander 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment: To my wife, Keisha. Hi Babe. How's my little angel? I am missing you all like mad and I love you loads. Happy Christmas.'

Corporal Joanne Laird, 34, from York and Catterick. Military clerk organising all the R and R 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets: Hi to my Dad, Michelle and little brother, Lois, in Malton, my sister, John and Natasha, in Catterick, Babs in Huntington and my best friend Sarah, Bob, Rubi and baby Max in Everthorpe. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you all soon. Get the kettle on - I need a decent brew!'

Padre Huw Evans, 38, from Catterick Garrison Chaplain, 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment: Have a Happy Christmas and I will see you in the New Year. Save some venison for me. To Lucy... sorry it's late but Happy Anniversary and thank you for nine great years. I miss you all, be good.'

Lance Corporal Robert Forsyth, 24, from Northallerton. Crane operator 38 Engineer Regiment: Hi to Michelle and Courtney Crawshaw. Wishing you both a Happy Christmas. Sorry I can't be with you but it won't be long until I'm home. Missing you both so much. All my love in the world.'

Corporal Mark Fender, from Ripon. Section Commander, 38 Engineer Regiment: To my wife, Kerry and Connor, Ben and Luke. Hi Babe, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Not long now until R and R. See you in the New Year. Love you.'

Corporal Andrew Cooper, 27, from Catterick Garrison. Section Commander 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment: To my wife, Helen, and Aaron, Hannah and Jessica. Hope you have a white Christmas and a good New Year. Hope Santa brings you good fun. Lots of love Andrew/Daddy.'

Lance Corporal Jason Leader, 30, from Catterick. Company clerk 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment: Hi Lacey, Aron and Jessica. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year. Miss you loads and can't wait to see you on R and R. Love from Jason (Dad).'

Lance Corporal Terri Lee,19, from Sunderland. Military Clerk 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment: To my family in Sunderland and my boyfriend in Teesside. Hi everyone, I'm okay. Miss you loads. Can't wait to see you - not long now. Love you lots, Terri.'

Captain Mark Stansfiled, 44, from Thirsk. Regimental Training Officer 40 Regiment Royal Artillery: To my wife, Vicki and all my family. Keep smiling and have a Happy Christmas.'

Corporal Stuart Wood, 33, from Catterick Garrison. Motor Transport platoon 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment: To my wife, Niki and children Lynsey, Danny, Joe, Jack and Alfie. Have a good Christmas and see you soon. Love Woody.'

Corporal Ian Harrison, from Catterick Village. Motor Transport platoon 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment: Merry Christmas to all and lots of love to Cate. See you soon and don't get too cold walking those dogs.'

Warrant Officer (2) Philip Eastwood, 38, from Ebberston. Operations Warrant Officer 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment: To my wife, Sonya, and Peiper the dog. Hope you are both well. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.'

Private Rodwell Kumzinda, 28, from Catterick. Chef, 19 Combat Service Support Regiment To my brothers, sisters and their families in Catterick. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I miss you all.'

Sapper Marc Baxter, 21, from Ripon. Signwriter, 38 Engineer Regiment To my wife, Beverley. Hi Bev, Merry Christmas. I love and miss you like mad. See you soon, Marc.'

Lance Corporal Joseph Sweeney, 23, of Ripon. Vehicle Mechanic 38 Engineer Regiment Light Aid Detachment REME: To my wife, Louise and the family. Greetings from Basra. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas. Missing you all and can't wait to see you. See you soon. Love Joe.'

Lance Corporal Jemma Twiss, 24, from Catterick. Military Clerk 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment: To my boyfriend. Hi babe, just want to say I love you lots and wish I was there with you. I miss you loads and can't wait to see you. Hav a brill Christmas. See you soon, babe. Lots of love always, Jem.'

Warrant Officer (2) Lee Middleton, 36, from Thirsk. RSOI team 40 Regiment Royal Artillery: Hi to my wife, Janet, and son Zak. Love and missing you. Hope you have a great Christmas. Sorry I can't be there but I will be thinking of you both. Take care and love you forever. Your Lee/Daddy.'

Craftsman David Gilling, 23, from Peterlee. Vehicle Mechanic 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment: To my wife, Kirsty, and 18-monthold son Keiron. I love you loads and a Merry Christmas. Say hello to everyone for me and I will see you soon. Miss you both. Hello Mam, Ged, John, Dave and Ian. You all be merry too.'

Gunner Tevita Drose Thirsk. Gunner 40 Regiment Royal Artillery: Hello to my wife, Leah, and children, Leya and Rejiezi. Hope everything is going well. I really miss you gang. Looking forward to our newborn baby, so take care and have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.'