EVEN in troubled economic times such as these, Christmas has a joyful way of bringing families together.

And despite all the travel problems caused by the big freeze, most people will make it home in time to enjoy the festivities.

But amid the celebrations, we should remember those who have lost loved ones this Christmas.

They include the family of popular student Duncan Gibbon, from Swainby, in North Yorkshire, whose death we report today. Like so many other young people, he went for a night out but, for some tragic reason, Duncan lost his life.

It is also our sad duty today to report the death of Corporal Steven Thomas Dunn. The 27-year-old father-of-one, who was raised in the North-East, is the latest British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

Our thoughts are with his family who will be facing a sad Christmas without a man described as a loving husband and doting dad.

The heart-warming response to our Help For Heroes fundraising campaign throughout this year has left us in no doubt about the strength of feeling in this region for those serving so bravely in Afghanistan.

The proximity of Catterick Garrison, Europe’s biggest Army base, gives this region a special affinity with the Armed Forces. We support them, admire their courage, and never take them for granted.

We know our readers will join us in thinking about them this Christmas – and reflect on how lucky most of us are to have our families around us.