Soldiers' families to get free post

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Chairman Allan Leighton said that they were working "urgently" to put in place arrangements for free parcel post deliveries to the troops until Christmas.

He added that the Royal Mail would be "pleased" to review with the Ministry of Defence how the arrangements could be continued after Christmas.

"Royal Mail wants to see our frontline troops get as much support as possible," Mr Leighton said.

"Royal Mail's postmen are already serving in many military bases, including in Afghanistan, helping provide postal services to the armed forces and we know how vitally important it is for frontline troops to get parcels from their loved ones at home."

The announcement came after the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, publicly appealed for the Royal Mail to drop the charges during a visit to troops in Afghanistan.

He welcomed the announcement. "I am delighted by the support shown by Royal Mail, and extremely grateful. This decision to provide a free parcel service to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will mean a great deal to our soldiers and to their families," he said.

Theresa Theobald, whose son is serving in Afghanistan and who has been campaigning for free parcel deliveries to the troops, also welcomed the news.

She said that she had to pay £6.50 for every 2kg she sent. Over the past six months she had spent more than £400 on "goodies" from home such as food and toiletries.

"It is the only morale they have really. It brightens their day up when the post gets delivered to them. That's just their little bit of comfort from home," she told the BBC Radio 4 PM programme.