WARMINSTER Army major Charlie Mayo was among the British troops in Iraq spending their first Christmas away from their families.

Major Mayo, who has been in the forces for 18 years, is among more than 10,000 UK servicemen providing security and vital services as the country adjusts to life after Saddam Hussein. The troops, based primarily in the southern region of Basra, work tirelessly, patrolling the streets, restoring power lines and improving water supplies.

The 39-year-old had a task-filled Christmas Day, but said he 'really missed' his wife and two children, aged four and seven.

He said: "I was really busy. I had five minutes' peace by the river to think about my family but then it was back to work. It's not the best situation but such is life."

Despite being thousands of miles away from home, the troops did get to eat a traditional Christmas lunch with a maximum alcohol intake of two cans of beer per person.

An added bonus for the servicemen is the new Naafi recreational centre at Shaibah Logistics Centre, just outside Basra.