ANYONE in the Vale with relatives or friends serving in the Gulf will - from today - be able to use a free postal service.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram announced the launch of the service. He said; "With the generous support of the Royal Mail Group, friends and families will be able to send letters and packets of up to 2kg in weight free of charge to BFPO addresses in the Gulf.

"This service, for packets addressed to named individual service personnel, will be a welcome addition to the Blueys and e-Blueys which are already sent free of charge."

The service is intended to help those families that regularly send their mail to their relatives taking part in the operation to liberate Iraq - not as a general service for welfare parcels where there is no named recipient.

Mr Ingram added: "While we are sure that the troops will appreciate this support we would ask families not to overload the system.

"We still need to get essential stores and equipment to the Gulf to support the front line.

"Packets will be delivered to the troops as soon as the operational situation allows. Deliveries of Blueys and e-Blueys, which are the primary method of communication, will have priority."

He went on: "We understand that many people want to support the armed forces and would invite people to make use of the British Forces Bulletin Board to leave goodwill messages or contribute to the UK Forces Gulf Fund, which has been set up to support those injured as a result of the conflict and the families and dependants of those who have lost their lives."

The Armed Forces Bulletin Board can be found at www.bfpo.org.uk.

l Have you got a loved one serving in the Gulf? Let us know so that we can pay tribute to the men and women serving in the current Gulf conflict. Ring Pat Smith on the newsdesk on 01386 765678