Bagpipes and wigs for Iraq troops

For most at Britain's sprawling Basra Airport base, the usual pre-6am start was suspended for the day with a lie-in and even a cup of tea in bed.

Officers and senior NCOs took their turns to serve the rank and file soldiers as part of a longstanding military tradition.

For those serving with the 1st Battalion, the Scots Guards, there was also a distinctly Scottish wake-up call, with a piper blasting out We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

Christmas Day temperatures in the desert of southern Iraq were pleasant in the low 20Cs.

The battalion's commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Willie Swinton and other senior officers toured the tents dishing out a "brew" and presents to around 400 soldiers under his command.

A full Christmas dinner of turkey, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings was later laid on in cookhouses at the "Cob" (Contingency Operating Base), Britain's last base in Iraq. Officers were again serving the troops.

After lunch a 5km "Turkey Trot" to raise money for injured servicemen and women was planned to burn off any festive excess.

From early morning some soldiers were spotted around camp dressed as elves or even donning blonde wigs and short skirts.

Following the handover of Basra Province earlier this month, UK forces in the south of the country are now on an "overwatch" mission, providing back-up if needed for Iraqi security forces rather than actively intervening.