Soldier Toby says thanks for the parcels

But nothing pleased him more than the story and photo of his family in the Bexhill Observer, telling of their support for him in the war effort. Toby, whose family live in Ingrams Avenue, had been waiting months to hear from him since he went to serve in Iraq.

He now has regular contact with them over the telephone and through letters, and is hoping to be home in July.

His dad, Cavan, said: "We are all really looking forward to seeing him.

"They keep changing the dates of when he is coming home."

Toby will return to his base in Germany where his girlfriend will meet him before flying back to England for a reunion with his family.

He also hopes to visit some of the people who donated to the shoe boxes appeal.

In all some 900 boxes full of treats - donated by Observer readers - were sent out to local troops.

Cavan said: "Toby plans to go and see one of the people he had a parcel from. They are from Winchelsea, and he has also written to some others to thank them."

Toby is pictured above in Iraq, opening parcels and staying in touch with the news back in his home town.