Servicemen and women from across the region will be spending Christmas thousands of miles from home in Afghanistan. Here, some of those serving Queen and country give festive messages to their loved ones

Craftsman Kevin Easton, from Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, working in Lashkar Gah “Merry Christmas to my girlfriend Kelsey and my friends and family. Have a good one.”

Gharti Magar, of Darlington, serving in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Attal with 1 Lancashire Regiment “Merry Christmas to family and friends, see you soon.”

Trooper Nick Robson, from Darlington, serving in Main Operating Base (MOB) Price “Happy Christmas to my mum and dad and little sister, as well as my girlfriend Sarah and all my mates back home. Hope everything okay.”

Lance Corporal Stuart Kent, from Durham, with family in Manchester, serving in Camp Bastion “I wish a Merry Xmas to Georgia Reuben and all my family. Lots of Love, Stu.”

Warrant Officer 2 Lee Arundale, from Stockton, serving in Camp Bastion “Hello to all my friends and family in Stockton-on-Tees and to my son, Ryan Craig, I’m really sorry I cant spend your first Christmas with you, miss you loads, see you soon. Love you.”

Lance Sergeant Mark Wall, of Darlington, serving in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oulette “I wish a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to my wife Tina and kids – Conner, Chloe and Lauren. Have a great day and I will see you when I get back.”

Guardsman Anthony McCormella, from County Durham, working in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oulette

The Northern Echo:

“Hello to everyone back home, wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. See you all in the New Year.”

Lance Bombardier Dale Patterson, from Newton Aycliffe, working in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oulette “Merry Christmas Amy and Alfie, I love you loads and miss you both so much, also hello to me dad sat in his chair.”

Captain Tom Bird, from Ripon, serving with 1 SCOTS in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Sparta “Wishing friends and family a merry Christmas and a happy New Year from PB Sparta, especially my wife Jo.”

Corporal Luke Clarke, from Catterick, serving in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Attal with 1 Lancashire Regiment “Merry Christmas Michelce and Damlia love Luke x”.

Private Atikini Nagogolevu, from Catterick, serving in Patrol Base (PB) Salang “I wish my family back in Catterick a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. To my son Joshua Vonisi especially too.”

Gunner James Addison, from Bedale, working in Main Operating Base (MOB) Price “Merry Christmas everyone back home, I hope you have a great day without me and enjoy Christmas dinner. I love you and I’ll see you when I get back.”

Staff Sergeant Martin Hall, from Bedale, working in Main Operating Base (MOB) Price “Have a great Christmas. I wish I could be there. Nicki and Emma I miss and love you and can’t wait to see you both next year.”

Trooper James Clough, from York, serving in Main Operating Base (MOB) Price “Merry Christmas to everyone at home. Mum I love you, Rachel I love you and I miss you and Pheobe, daddy loves you.”

Sergeant Brett Wilkes, from Thirsk, serving in Camp Bastion “Merry Christmas to my wife Jenna and children Josh, Ryan, Arran and Teeganne and friends in Thirsk. Wishing you a very merry Xmas and a happy New Year. Love you loads.”

Major David Nuttall, from Topcliffe, working in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oulette “I send lots of love to my wife Sally and my two girls Sophia and Millie. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and I will see you all soon.”

Captain William Theakston, from Harrogate, working in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Oulette “Wishing everyone at home a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Thank you to my parents, sister and grandmother, all in Harrogate, for sending parcels to keep me and the team going. My girlfriend Hannah you have been a star, I can’t wait to see you soon. And lastly thanks to Victoria, at Taylors Coffee, for sending out some coffee.”

Kingsman Gary Chapman, from Catterick Garrison, serving in Lashkar Gah Durai with 1 SCOTS Guards “Wishing all my family and friends a merry Christmas.”

Captain Mick Campbell, from Catterick, working in Lashkar Gah “Hi Debs, Chaslie and Ryan. Have a great Xmas and enjoy Harry Potter. Love and miss you all loads.”