THERE will be no Easter eggs for one mum tomorrow as the Iraqi heat would melt them beyond recognition.

But Jennifer Poyner, who is a nurse in the Territorial Army, will be receiving other gifts instead.

The Worcester mum-of-three has been stationed in the Gulf since March to help casualties of the war in Iraq.

Her family has been sending her regular letters and parcels to help keep her spirits high.

"We can't send her chocolate because it would melt," said husband Allan Poyner, of, Peterborough Close, Ronkswood.

"I couldn't find her a Simnel cake - a special Easter cake - to send, so she's getting a slab of walnut and date instead."

Mrs Poyner has been in the Gulf since Thursday, March 13, leaving Allan at home with their children -seven-year-old Mary-Ann, nine-year-old David and Kenneth, 12.

It is her first tour of duty since joining the 202 Field Officers reservist unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps 16 years ago.

Brilliant

"We had a 20-minute phone call from her last Monday morning, which was brilliant as she could speak to all of the kids," said Mr Poyner.

"She's in good spirits though I wouldn't say she's enjoying herself. We haven't got a clue when she'll be back. It's a land of limbo.

"It's difficult for the children and I don't know what to tell them. You see regular troops coming home and you wonder why the TA isn't back yet.

"It's a case of wait and see and trying to keep everyone's spirits up."

Mrs Poyner is now able to tell her family she has been stationed on a disused airfield near Basra, Iraq's second city, for three weeks.

She also said that she was receiving their letters and parcels regularly.

"We're now able to send out parcels weighing up to 4 lbs for free, but they have to have come from the family," said Mr Poyner, a community worker in Tolladine.