ROYAL Naval Reservist Lieutenant Sally Armstrong, 30, from Bere Ferrers, is currently helping host the nation's media as well as sporting legends Freddie Flintoff and Gary Lineker in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Sally is two months through a six month tour of duty at Camp Bastion. As a media operations officer, she looks after and organises programmes for the many journalists and broadcasters who embed with British forces.

Sally said: 'We have hosted all types of media, from defence correspondents from the broadsheets and tabloids to regional newspaper journalists, magazines and film crews .

'We've also had VIP visitors, such the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth.'

Sally said it was important to host the media 'in theatre'.

'I think people want to hear the personal stories of the servicemen and women serving in Helmand,' she said.

She said one of the perks of the job was the opportunity to meet a range of interesting people from outside the military environment.

'The highlight of my tour so far has been hosting Freddie Flintoff and Gary Lineker when they came to Camp Bastion with an ITV film crew.

They presented a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain award to the UK Joint Forces Medical Group.

'Gary and Freddie spent two days learning about the world class treatment for battlefield injuries provided by British military doctors, nurses and combat medics serving in Afghanistan.

'However, they were also determined to meet as many of the troops as possible and must have signed hundreds of autographs and had their photos taken thousands of times.

'The visit was a real morale boost to the troops coming to the end of their tour and Gary and Freddie made an effort to talk to as many units as possible.'

Sally said it felt 'a bit surreal' when she was first introduced to Gary and Freddie, but after a few minutes she realised they were 'just normal people'.

She said: 'Freddie was extremely down to earth and interested in talking to people about their jobs.

'He was on crutches and in quite a lot of pain from his injured knee, but he didn't make a fuss and was happy to have his picture taken with anyone who asked.

'Gary was great too. He'd had very little sleep before arriving because of delays to his flight but managed to keep on smiling and was a real gent.

'I think they were genuinely in awe of the young servicemen and women who risk their lives daily.

'I think it was quite an intense experience for them both but one I hope they'll have good memories of.'

Being away from family and friends was difficult, Sally said, but she was able to keep in touch regularly with letters and emails. She described Camp Bastion as flat, dry and dusty and she missed the greenery of home: 'I can't wait to see a tree again or to sit on a grassy lawn!'

'The days are long and busy and there isn't much to do apart from work, eat, sleep and try to keep fit.

'However, I have met so many people doing truly amazing jobs in the most difficult situations without complaint or fuss that I actually feel very privileged to be here,' she said.