Donations, treats or letters of support are being gathered by a publican to distribute to troops serving in Afghanistan over the festive season.

Pub landlord Ray Dicastiglione decided to make The Royal Oak in Kitters Green, Abbots Langley, the central collection point in the village for people to express their generosity and in some small way help keep the morale up of soldiers away from friends and family for Christmas.

Mr Dicastiglione’s 20-year-old nephew Joseph, a corporal in the Grenadier Guards recently arrived in Basra, which gave his uncle the idea.

The 49-year-old said: “We thought it would be nice to get behind the troops. People can do different things, donate things like sweets and food or write a letter.

“There are a lot of young lads out there and some don’t get letters at all and it’s nice for them to know they have our support.

“We thought it would be good to have a central point in the village where they can drop off donations or letters as they may want to do something but not know where to send it.

“We hope to get it sent out for Christmas to say thanks for what they have done.”

To find out what can be donated visit www.theroyaloakabbotslangley.co.uk or telephone 01923 265163.