Troops' free parcel scheme extended

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The service was launched in September after complaints from families and friends of the troops and was due to run out next month.

The Royal Mail said that, under a new deal agreed with the Ministry of Defence, the service will continue after Christmas and is expected to last as long as British troops are serving in the two danger zones.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "The introduction of free post in the summer has been a real success with both families and service personnel, and I am just delighted that we have been able to come to an agreement with Royal Mail that will ensure the continuation of this valued service.

"I am very grateful to Royal Mail for their support for our troops."

Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said: "I'm very proud that Royal Mail will continue to play a key role in making it as easy as possible for families and friends to send gifts and home comforts to their loved ones in the frontline.

"The messages we've received from men and women at the front tell us how much they value parcels from home - and we're delighted to work with the BFPO to ensure a free service continues."

Over the past few weeks around 100,000 parcels a week have been sent free of postage to around 14,000 frontline personnel, providing them with gifts, non-perishable food items and home comforts.

Under the new deal, the cost of continuing the free frontline parcel scheme will be shared jointly by Royal Mail and the MoD's British Forces Post Office.

Relatives and friends can take parcels weighing up to 2kg (4.4lb) to any Post Office branch for onward posting to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as to Royal Navy ships in the region.