PUPILS are backing British forces in the Middle-East by sending them some much-needed creature comforts.

Children at Cheveley Park Primary School in Belmont eagerly responded to an appeal to offer a tonic to the troops.

They have filled shoe-boxes with everyday items which are impossible to acquire for servicemen and women involved in duties in Iraq.

Shortly after the outbreak of hostilities 13 boxes were filled, with a further 20 the following week and as term closed last Friday, they handed over another 18 to dispatch to the war-zone.

Teacher Ann Hunt made the appeal after reading of the shortages soldiers are suffering on the front line.

"We have children who have brothers out there or whose parents used to be in the forces and wanted to help," said Mrs Hunt.

"It's still on-going and we'll carry on after Easter because the troops will be out there for a few more months yet.

"The boxes are filled with some home comforts. It's to let them know someone is actually thinking about them while they are out there."

As an added goodwill gesture small teddy bears, bearing personal notes from the pupils, have been added to the packages for the soldiers to hand out to Iraqi children.

The boxes were collected by Dawn Taylor, of Bearpark, whose 22-year-old son Mark is serving in the Royal Logistics Corps in Basra. Anyone offering support should call Mrs Taylor on (0191) 373 2102.