SHOEBOXES brimming with gifts will be making their way to soldiers serving in Afghanistan this spring as part of a Royal British Legion campaign.

The Treats for Troops initiative was designed to give soldiers serving overseas the home comforts and luxuries they may be missing.

The legion is calling on the public to donate gifts - from packs of chewing gum and biscuits to brand new underwear and razors.

Items such as socks, boxer shorts, sweets, Pot Noodles, shaving foam and biscuits are examples of the gifts which are being sent.

People are also being encouraged to jot a note to the person receiving the package.

The scheme was set up by Calne RBL members but is expected to be taken up by other legions across Wiltshire.

Legion member Dave Bland said: "It seems silly to call pants and socks a luxury but some of the service personnel in Afghanistan have been there for months and brand new underwear and new socks will be appreciated.

"We have been consulting with returning servicemen who have told us the items that are most longed for are Werthers Originals and Super Noodles.

Social secretary Ellie Bland said: "Don't forget the boxes will be going to women as well so knickers and unisex magazines would be good as well."

Items must be things that will not perish on the journey.

Chocolate cannot be included in the boxes although the Legion is trying to have Easter eggs delivered to the main forces base where they will be stored and dished out to troops.

Shoe boxes and donations can be delivered to the Swindon Advertiser offices at 100 Victoria Road, Old Town or Sophisticatz branches in Apsley Arcade in Wootton Bassett or Beech Terrace, Calne.

Ellie said: "We need to be mindful of certain rules and regulations so we can't send lads magazines or alcohol out there.

"Non-chocolate foil packed biscuits, Werthers Originals, gum, cotton underwear, roll-on deodorant and non aerosol shaving cream are most welcome and some of the lads say heads go up when there's a pot noodle delivered."

Calne mum Anita Williams' says sending the boxes to Afghanistan are a great comfort to her while her son is serving there.

She said: "I can't mother him and look after him while he's so far away so sending these packages out mean I can still do my bit.

"Regardless of what you think of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers are still out there and they deserve our support."