A LOVING mum has spent a small fortune sending essential comforts - including the Shuttle/Times & News - across the globe to her soldier daughter.

Carol Sargent has been a lifeline for daughter, Lance Cpl Julie Lane, since the conflict in Iraq began, sending toiletries, confectionery and copies of Wyre Forest's top newspaper to the war-torn country.

Mrs Sargent, 40, of Stretton Road, Kidderminster, said the packages had cost her £60 but felt it was the least she could do for her daughter, 22 this month. Lance Cpl Julie Lane.

She said: "Julie is very grateful for what we sent her and said she shared it amongst the other girls out there. It has been very expensive but it will soon be free to send parcels out to her."

Lance Cpl Lane, 22 next Saturday, said in a letter home that she was like "a kid at Christmas" when one parcel arrived, and begged her mum to send her more home comforts.

One letter back read: "Could you send some sachets of sauce to put in my ration meals. That's all I need to put a smile on my face at this minute.

"Also, a jar of strawberry jam and marmalade. We have biscuits out of the ration packs which would taste rather nice with jam."

Lance Cpl Lane, who attended Stourport High School, is engaged to a fellow soldier, Lance Sgt Gene Jolly, 29, who she met when stationed in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

The two had planned to wed this year but the war has forced them to postpone their plans with an Elvis-impersonator led ceremony in Las Vegas, America, pencilled in for 2004.

Mrs Sargent, who has re-married, said: "I don't watch the news or read the papers but I did watch the fall of Baghdad. It is not over, there is still danger, but it now seems a lot safer.

"I am very proud of her."