THE emotional hug shown on the front of the Worcester News today illustrates the relief loved ones feel over the safe arrival home of our soldiers from one of the most dangerous places on the planet.

One of those men is Simon Gresty, of Stoulton, near Worcester.

The comments from his mother epitomise what the families of all serving soldiers in Afghanistan must feel. While some people may get somewhat blasé about hearing about the deaths of more men serving our country, she explained the reality: "When you watch the news and someone has been injured or killed you go straight to Teletext and feel relief that it's not yours, but guilt that it's someone else's loved one."

Since the invasion of Afghanistan sparked in part by those murderous events of September 11, 2001, 82 British servicemen have lost their lives in the country where the Taliban once reigned so ferociously.

The series of recent features from our reporter David Paine, who spent time on the front line with the Mercian regiment, gives an insight into just how hostile this country is. It has an unforgiving terrain where young men in their prime have to remain vigilant 24 hours a day.

Last month this newspaper launched a campaign calling on the government to issue our troops serving in Afghanistan with combat medals, rather than campaign medals. It is a campaign with huge public support. We hope Mr Brown heeds what the people are saying and agrees to give our boys the medal they so thoroughly deserve.