A SOLDIER serving in Iraq has sent a birthday message home to his young daughter in Delves Lane, Consett.

Lance Corporal Mark Bedingfield wants Sarah to know he is thinking of her this Friday when she turns eight.

He wrote to The Advertiser to pass on many happy returns to his daughter, a Lanchester EP School pupil.

Lance Cpl Bedingfield is on a six-month tour of duty as part of the Territorial Army Normandy Company stationed at Basra Airport.

He wrote: "I will be out here until the end of May and missed Christmas Day with my family back in England.

"I would like to say a happy birthday to my Sarah plus a special thank you to my wife, Lisa, for putting up with me being away so long."

The devoted dad has two other children Kate, four, and James, three.