Brave Midland soldiers battling on the front line in Afghanistan were today continuing their mission to defeat the Taliban – after taking a moment to send a Christmas message to loved ones at home.

It is business as usual for troops from 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, which recruits from areas throughout the region.

Many will, however, be able to enjoy some Christmas turkey tomorrow despite being based in central Helmand Province, the most volatile part of the war-torn country.

The rest of the festive period will see the regiment, known as the West Midland Gunners, continue its mission to beat the Taliban and train the fledgling Afghan artillery.

Soldiers were today being treated to a Christmas pantomime courtesy of fellow troops, who were performing their own version of Cinderella at the base.Among those serving with the regiment is 25-year-old Bombardier Luke Jackson, from Horseley Fields in Wolverhampton.

The former St Edmund’s Catholic School pupil, who works in the operations room of the base, said: “It’s difficult on Christmas Day when you’re on an operational tour, but it does get a bit easier each time you do it.

“This is the second time I’ve been away from the family. It is tough, yes, but the support we get from people back in the UK really helps morale. You can’t underestimate how much knowing people back home are behind you really helps.”

Bdr Jackson, whose parents Steve and Sonya, both 43, live in Wolverhampton with his brothers Tyler and Lewis, and sister Jessica, said he would be having a belated Christmas celebration with his family and girlfriend, 22-year-old Kennedy Glews, early in the new year. “I’m back in early January because I’m halfway through the six-month tour,” he said. “I’ll be thinking of them all tomorrow though.”

Troops based throughout Afghanistan have been handed parcels full of Christmas treats after they were collected by well-wishers and charities in the UK.

And front line soldiers have also been given extra time to talk to loved ones over the festive period.

Personnel have been given an additional 30 minutes of “talk time” from the Ministry of Defence and an extra 45 minutes from communications provider Paradigm.

Captain Rick Gill, who is stationed at Lashkar Gah, said: “It is business as usual for us but there will be time for the guys to speak to their families back home.”