Children at Marlborough schools are being asked to send letters and small gifts to soldiers serving in Afghanistan from a Wiltshire battalion that is being adopted by the town.

Mayor Nick Fogg has welcomed a new military affiliation with the army now that links with the Royal Navy through the former HMS Marlborough have been broken for the time being at least.

The crew of HMS Marlborough was given the freedom of the town in 1996 but the frigate has been decommisioned under MoD cuts.

Now members of the highly specialised 4 Military Intelligence Battalion based at Bulford have proposed regular links with the town which the mayor and a delegation of councillors welcomed when they visited the unit last Thursday.

Soldiers from 4MI Battalion spend six months at a time in the thick of action with the British Army wherever it may be. It has men and women serving in Afghanistan currently and carried out its intelligence role previously in Iraq..

Commanding officer Lt Col Ben Pike and councillors are still discussing how the battalion can play a part in the life of the town which will certainly include being represented at the annual Poppy Day parade.

Soldiers will also help organise fund raising events in the town for military charities such as the Army Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes.

If operational commitments permit then members of the battalion will assist the Army Cadet Force with some of its training events and visit schools and local groups to talk about life in the army.

Lt Col Pike said: ““As a battalion we are extremely honoured with this affiliation. The officers and soldiers of 4 MI Battalion are looking forward to becoming involved in Marlborough and meeting the citizens of the town.”

One thing the soldiers are looking forward to, said their CO, was receiving letters and small gifts during their six month tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Small packages not exceeding 2KG with a letter and small gifts including fruitcake, but no alcohol as it is not allowed in Afghanistanm, should be sent to :- OC Int Section, HQ TFH, Lashkar Gah, OP HERRICK, BFPO 715; or to OC UK Element, KIFC, RC(S), KAF, OP HERRICK, BFPO 772.

A battalion spokesman said: “Please write on the back that it is from a citizen of Marlborough as the soldiers are looking forward to any mail from their affiliated town.”

Number 4 MI Battalion is a small unit of about 200 in total with its members at military bases all around the UK but largely at Kiwi Barracks at Bulford.

Its main work is training and preparing its personnel for operations in Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world they may be required at short notice.

Lt Col Kite said the soldiers were looking forward to liaising with school children, taking part in civic events and developing links with Marlborough’s sports clubs.