The padre of 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment has thanked the people of the Warminster area for more than 500 parcels sent to soldiers in Afghanistan.

Containing everything from snacks and treats to practical items like soap and toothbrushes, the parcels were well received by the troops, he said, providing a boost to morale.

Each parcel also contained a short, personal letter from a member of the community, wishing the parcel’s recipient a good tour. Many soldiers from the Warminster-based battalion wrote back with their thanks.

The 3 Yorks padre, Major John Duncan, said: “I would just like to pass on a big thank you to the people of Warminster and surrounding villages.

“Since 3 Yorks deployed to Afghanistan, we have received over 500 parcels and they have been a real boost to morale.

“It is great to receive both a letter and a parcel from the folks back in our adopted battalion home.

“We look forward to returning to our home barracks in Warminster and parading through the town, to show our thanks to the local community for the months of support while we were deployed, and a thank you to the local post offices, who have made this project a success as well.”

The parcels project was set up by Major Duncan with Sue Allen, of the Minster Church, who co-ordinated collection of all the gifts at Warminster’s churches, packaging them all up and sending them on to the troops on their tour of duty in Helmand Province.

The remainder of the battalion, which has been deployed in Afghanistan since February, are expected to return to the Battlesbury Barracks over the coming week, after one company (Corunna) returned in September.

They will parade through Warminster on Friday, November 30, having been given the Freedom of the Town by the town council last month.