SOLDIERS from Worcestershire will be opening the first parcels and letters sent to Afghanistan by their families for free.

Almost 200 bulging bags arrived at Camp Bastion - the British forces' main base in Helmand province - in the first few days of the new free postal delivery service.

And soldiers serving with 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) will be happy to receive the packages which often include letters, books, newspapers and magazines as well as food.

Your Worcester News previously reported how Royal Mail backed down on charging the families of soldiers serving on the frontline in Afghanistan and Iraq after complaints from the head of the British Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt.

Gen Dannatt had previously announced his irritation that postal bosses demanded families pay £6.50 to deliver 2kg (4.4lb) packages to a Ministry of Defence depot in London, even though the Royal Air Force already flies them to war zones for free.

Royal Mail bosses initially tried to defend the fees, claiming it was against the rules to offer different prices to certain customers, but they caved in after pressure from the Army and postal watchdog Postcomm.

The free delivery service will operate until Christmas, but our troops are due to come home next month.