BLACK Watch soldiers serving in Iraq this week received a morale-boosting radio broadcast from their families in Warminster.

Messages from their loved ones were aired on British Forces Broadcasting Services Radio on Sunday after producer Charlotte Cross spent an afternoon recording dedications.

The broadcast was organised by Gwen Campbell whose husband, WO2 Lorne Campbell, is one of over 400 Black Watch troops on peace-keeping duty in Iraq.

Mrs Campbell said: "I think there were about 16 of us involved in the broadcast. It was just really an opportunity for us to get together and send dedications to our husbands to let them know we are missing them and thinking about them.

"We told them to keep safe and come home soon. Some of the kids sent messages as well, which they were very excited about."

The couple have a 16-month-old son, Finlay, and Mrs Campbell said recording the broadcast was a great boost for families separated by 5,000 miles.

She first came across BFBS when the Black Watch were posted to Germany and was delighted with the station's response to her appeal.

Mrs Campbell said: "I called BFBS on the Wednesday evening and they arranged to come on the Sunday. It was absolutely brilliant that they came at such short notice."

BFBS producer Charlotte Cross said: "It's a very emotional experience for many wives and mothers."

Where technology permits soldiers are allowed a 20-minute phone call home each week and can receive letters the next day via an internet postal system.

Mrs Campbell added: "In some locations they have internet access and can link up by MSN messenger, which can be a real surprise."

The Black Watch was the training regiment at Warminster's Land Warfare Centre for three months before being deployed back to Iraq. During the war the regiment was praised for helping take control of the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

Sunday's broadcast was played out on BFBS Radio 1's Access All Areas programme. BFBS Radio is an institution within the forces and is listened to by serving British forces in 23 countries.