GENEROUS Adver readers have been flooding our office with parcels for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We been inundated with shoeboxes stuffed with treats since running the story last month about the Royal British Legion collection.

Calne Royal British Legion has been collecting goodies for nearly two months now and sent more than 100 boxes out last week alone.

The Adver offered to be a drop-off point for people in Swindon who wanted to donate - and the results have been fantastic.

As a Legion member myself, the campaign has always been close to my heart, so I was touched by the response.

Whatever your views on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are still mums, dads, sons and daughters out there so far from home without their loved ones by their side.

One remarkable woman I have spoken to has sent out almost 100 parcels single-handedly in a labour of love that for her has become part of every day life.

In a letter sent from his post in Afghanistan one young private wrote to her: "We have been overwhelmed.

"It has been so lovely to know that we are valued and people back home have spared some time in their busy lives for us."

More than 50 boxes have been packed and wrapped so far and my phone has been ringing off the hook with the reception staff at our Old Town office telling me of yet another batch waiting for collection.

The idea came about in January when Calne Legion's social secretary Ellie Bland said she wanted to do something for service personnel in the Middle East.

Since her brainwave, Arkell's pub The Lansdowne Strand, in Calne, has packed, wrapped and shipped out the shoeboxes.

The campaign is not a flash in the pan and we will continue with it for as long as our boys and girls are out there.

Werthers Originals, Polo mints, tissues, shampoo, soap, boxer shorts, razors, pot noodles, chewing gum and biscuits are just some of the items being packed and sent.

Senders have also been including notes and letters to the parcels recipient.

Alcohol, lad's magazines such as Nuts or Zoo, chocolate and photographs must not be sent for both legal and practical reasons.

Shoeboxes and donations can be delivered to the Advertiser offices at 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, Sophisticatz shop, in Apsley Arcade, Wootton Bassett, or Sophisticatz, in Beech Terrace, Calne.