A FORMER John Masefield High School pupil, Major John Westwood, has spoken of his experience of Afghanistan and he is urging the local community not to forget troops who will be fighting out there, this Christmas.

Major Westwood, aged 37, who was born in Bosbury and attended the village primary school, is urging local people to get gifts to soldiers who will be thinking of home this month.

He said: "It often means more to them, coming from people they do not know, because it shows support."

The troops were far from forgotten yesterday (Thursday), when the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcester and Sherwood Foresters), including Major Westwood, marched from Worcester Cathedral, down the High Street to the Corn Market, past cheering onlookers.

Major Westwood, an army press officer, only returned from a three and half month posting to the war zone in October, his first tour of duty where colleagues had been killed.

He said: "It's very sobering, but the young soldiers out there were just fantastic. It was very humbling."

Around half a dozen troops on deployment came from the Ledbury area, and the regiment saw fierce fighting that recalled older conflicts.

Major Westwood said: "Elements of our battalion were engaging with the enemy all the time. Some of our company were down south for months, where it was almost a World War One style stand off."

Major Westwood said local support for the troops had actually very good.

He urged people to continue that support, not least because Afghanistan could end up being a better place.

New hospitals and schools are already being built, and Major Westwood added: "This is very much a winnable battle, and the locals want the Taliban out."

The local troops managed to move into and hold a notorious area called "The Green Zone" near the Helmand River - something that both the Russians and the Americans had failed to do.

But the regiment lost nine of its number in front-line conflict in Afghanistan this year, and 17 more troops were seriously wounded.

Despite such sacrifices, sending gifts to unnamed troops is no longer allowed by the British Forces Post Office, which gives priority to parcels from family and friends, to medical supplies and to ammunition.

Random gifts can be still sent through any named soldier who is willing to distribute them, or donations to buy presents for troops can be made through organisations including www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk and www.uk4u.org/makeadonation.