EAST Lancashire soldiers in Iraq are getting some festive cheer thanks to generous Lancashire Telegraph readers.

Organisers from the Support Our Soldiers charity said more than 120 parcels are now being sent to the Gulf from East Lancashire following an appeal in the paper.

Now the parcels are on their way to help our lads and lasses enjoy Christmas away from home - after an "overwhelming response".

Lynn Dickinson, 48, from Shadsworth, Blackburn, led the Lancashire collections.

Her son Stephen is currently serving abroad with the army.

She said: "There has been a fantastic effort from everyone in the area and I know that the parcels will be very welcome out there.

"On behalf of myself and the soldiers I would like to say thank you to all those who helped."

Soldiers from the county arrived for the latest peacekeeping mission in Basra last month.

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment has troops from Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Pendle and Burnley based at Basra airfield as the Army prepares to hand over security for the southern city to homegrown forces.

The internet-based charity - www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk - has been sending parcels since 2003 to members of the armed forces serving overseas.

Last year the nationwide campaign dispatched nearly 2,500 parcels and in October it asked Lancashire Telegraph readers to send shoeboxes filled with items like toiletries, magazines and food, to make life in the war zone a little more tolerable.

This year across the country around 6,900 parcels have been collected.

Agnes Hunter, who set up the charity, said: "The parcels represent the support and good wishes of the public, and show our brave soldiers that we are thinking about them.

"The appeal is now closed and we'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to make this year effort such a huge success.

"We're still waiting updates from our representatives but the count of parcels sent so far stands at an amazing 6,924 parcels."

Kevin Hegarty, a spokesman for the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said: "Anything that shows people support our soldiers is welcomed by the Army.

"At Christmas the first Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment will be in Iraq.

"With its strong connections to Lancashire, including lots of soldiers from East Lancashire who will be out in Iraq, I'm sure they will welcome a little message from home."