APRIL 1: The Princess Royal visited RAF Lyneham to offer support to those whose loved ones are serving in the war in Iraq.

She met personnel and their families at the Chippenham base, where she is the Honorary Air Commodore.

She congratulated one woman who is making thousands of yellow ribbons for people to wear in support of those who have been sent to the Gulf.

Beverley Isaac, 37, from Maesteg, Wales, whose husband, Senior Aircraftsman Huw Isaac, 38, is due to be deployed with 4626 Auxiliary Medical Squadron, said: "We just want to drum up some support for the lads.

"Someone mentioned the ribbons on the RAF's Internet chatroom recently and so I just offered to make them for people.

"I started out by getting some cheap ribbon from a firm in Swansea, and now I have got 5,000 orders to do this week. It's incredible how it has taken off.

About 700 personnel have been deployed to the Gulf from RAF Lyneham, which is home to four squadrons flying 52 Hercules transport aircraft.

Karen Wilson, 37, said it was tough looking after her son Robert, nine, and daughter Charlotte, six, while her husband, Sgt Rob Wilson, also 37, had been away since November with 4626 Auxiliary Medical Squadron.

"We miss them but I know it is difficult for them too," she said.