AS a long-term girlfriend of a soldier serving with 1RBGWLI, I am disappointed in the lack of coverage and support shown to our lads during their recent tour of duty in Afghanistan.

For the six months that they were over there the local newspapers and news channels only rarely showed brief snippets of the hard work that they were doing, every major bulletin seemed to focus on either Iraq or larger regiments. I think this is disgusting, as this is our local regiment (soon to be amalgamated) and the local media show very little enthusiasm or respect for these soldiers that are doing a difficult job in less than perfect circumstances.

We all realise that when they sign up they may be put in to these situations and arguably there are those that are worse off.

But a little bit of support wouldn't have gone amiss.

I can only hope that the regiment that has taken over from the 1RBGWLI fair better with their local press and television stations.

H Rooke.

Swindon