THREE comrade-in-arms from the same Basildon street have praised local shopkeepers who organised 100 food packages for troops in Afghanistan.

Privates Ben Roberts, 26, Simon Peacock, 22, and Danny Slade, 27, all come from Whitmore Way and yesterday they called in at the Pints and Litres off-licence, in the Laindon Centre, to thank its owners for their support.

With the help of other local traders, Roy and Janet Hudson, both 43, collected sweets, biscuits and other treats for the troops and packaged them up in shoeboxes to send to the front line.

Private Roberts, who is due to return to Afghanistan on Monday, said: "I've been responsible for distributing the packages out there. Roy and Jan are really well known among the boys.

"It's obviously pretty tough out there and this has been brilliant for morale. They send goodies we just wouldn't get otherwise, such as sweets, biscuits and tobacco.

"It means a heck of a lot, as it shows people back home are thinking about us."

Proud Mr Hudson said: "It started off with a glass jar we left on the counter for customers to donate their change.

"We started using that to pay for packages, then all the other shopkeepers got involved by helping to pay postage and donating goodies of their own.Overall, what went in the packages and the postage has cost £2,560 so far."

He added: "I'm really proud of people in Laindon. We've really pulled together to support our lads."