A GENEROUS couple from Budleigh Salterton have collected a staggering 150 gift parcels to send to troops serving in Afghanistan this Christmas.

A GENEROUS couple from Budleigh Salterton have collected a staggering 150 gift parcels to send to troops serving in Afghanistan this Christmas.

Jean Gregory, assisted by her husband, Colin, have gathered the packages as part of a Support the Troops Shoe Box Appeal.

The initiative is being supported by a number of people in Budleigh and sponsored by TaxWorld and David Rhys estate agents.

Jean, of Sherbrook Close, started collecting parcels last year because her son, Major Keith Gregory, was serving overseas for the Territorial Army.

She said: "It is vitally important the work of the troops is recognised not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.

"It certainly lifts their spirits when they have had a tough day.

"We would send the parcels directly to him and he used to distribute them to other soldiers. It tends to be a quicker process if you send them to a specific person.

"The post office has been great in supporting us when we take the boxes."

David Rhys said the kindness and compassion shown by Jean and Colin and other members of the Budleigh community who have got involved with the appeal was phenomenal.

He added: "It has been a tremendous effort by all. The response to the appeal from the public has been great.

"When I went up to Jean and Colin's house, for instance, it was packed with parcels.

"It must be a moral-booster for the troops to see that we haven't forgotten about them.

"David Rhys estate agents whole-heartedly supports the scheme."

The shoeboxes contain an array of home comforts, including tea bags, puzzle books, sweets, soup, magazines, cream crackers and face wipes.