HUNDREDS of soldiers from across the region will be spending Christmas away from home this year - many helping rebuild war-torn Iraq.

Although the troops will eat turkey, sing carols and open cards and parcels from their relatives and friends, Christmas Day will be business as usual.

Despite harsh conditions, the military tries to bring the men and women some festive cheer.

The Northern Gunners, currently serving near Basra, in Iraq, have spent the last two months helping Iraqi civilians to rebuild and re-equip schools.

Captain Paddy Gracie, operations officer for 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, known as the Northern Gunners, said: "We have a dual role of guarding our camp on the outskirts of the city and patrolling the southern region as well as helping with the rebuilding of the area.

"We feel we are making a difference."

Soldiers are helping locals to get water treatment plants back up and running.

In two weeks, there should be fresh water in Umm Qasr in the south-east of the country.

And with elections soon to be held in the country, the Gunners are holding one of their own - for Santa Claus.

"We are planning a Christmas dinner and we hope that Santa will make an appearance.

"The plan is that Santa is selected by the lads on a voting system and the winner will be the one that the lads believe is as close to Santa as possible on the day," he said.

As well as helping with the rebuilding process in Iraq, Army soldiers are also serving in Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, Kosovo and Sierra Leone.

Corporal Sam Trotter, based at RAF Brize Norton, will be in the Falkland Islands this festive season while her family and friends celebrate Christmas back in Bishop Auckland -although the weather in the southern hemisphere is very different from the promised snow in County Durham.

She is part of the joint services force assigned to protect the Falkland Islands against aggression this Christmas.

Corporal Trotter, 23, is working on an operational deployment at Mount Pleasant Airport as part of the British forces providing the military presence in the South Atlantic.

Corporal Trotter sends her message to her mum, dad and brother Paul.

She said: "I would like to wish my family and friends a very happy Christmas and successful New Year.

"I'm thinking of you all, especially mum, dad and Paul. I love you all!

"The weather is beautiful in the South Atlantic as summer approaches, so it feels a bit odd in the run-up to Christmas.

"But it's very enjoyable with lots of things to do in my spare time.

"Miss you loads and look forward to seeing you all soon."

Lance Corporal Steven White, who is serving in Iraq, has a message for his partner Lisa, from Crook.

"Hi, hope you enjoy Christmas. Wish I could be there, have a couple for me. Love you loads, Ste xxx"

It is not just the Army serving overseas. Flight Lieutenant Trudy Askew, from Ferryhill, is serving with the Royal Air Force at Kandahar Air Base, in Afghanistan.

She is a former pupil of Ferryhill Comprehensive School, and will return home to husband Stuart on December 28, but, concentrating on the task at hand, she said: "This job gives me the challenges and the drive to achieve."

Gunner Thomas Hutchinson, 20, from Mickleton, Barnard Castle, is serving with the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery in Iraq.

He says: "To mum and dad, in Mickleton, and my sister, Kelly, in Cockfield - missing you loads and can't wait to get back.

"Have a good Christmas and have a few drinks for me."

Lance Bombardier Daniel Findlay, 20, from Sedgefield, is also with the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery in Iraq, serving as a member of the gun crew.

"Alright mum, just sending you a little message to say I love and miss you all. Can't wait to see you all.

"Merry Christmas! Love, Daniel."