THE Ministry of Defence is discouraging the sending of goodwill parcels to deployed personnel over Christmas due to delays in delivering mail from family and friends.

Over the past two years the public's generosity has threatened to swamp the system and cause delays.

The MoD does not want to alienate supportive members of the public and has therefore endorsed two specific charities — Support Our Soldiers and Thank the Forces — which send strictly controlled numbers of parcels to troops in the front line, under an agreed programme which minimises disruption to the postal system.

Vice-admiral Peter Wilkinson, deputy chief of the defence staff, said the MoD was 'extremely grateful' for the levels of support from the public.

'The generosity and heartfelt support of communities at home is important in keeping up morale, often in very difficult conditions.

'Public support is in addition to, and complements, the welfare package we already provide, which includes free phone calls home, free email and internet access as well as free mail services for family and close friends.

'It is for this reason that the MoD has asked the charity SSAFA [Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association] Forces Help to administer an operational welfare fund, which focuses on providing support directly to troops in the front line.'

The fund will enable commanders on the ground to bid for those items which they judge will have the most impact in enhancing the morale of their personnel.

In previous years every service man and woman on operations over Christmas receive a gift box containing suitable gifts from the MoD endorsed charity 'uk4u Thanks!'

This year's boxes were packed at the start of September and have already moved through the logistic supply chain to ensure they reach their recipients by Christmas Day.

Vice-admiral Mr Wilkinson said: 'Two specific charities — Support Our Soldiers and Thank The Forces — send strictly controlled numbers of parcels to minimise disruption to the operational postal system.

'We strongly encourage those determined to send a parcel to donate instead to one of these charities.'

Donations to the Operational Welfare Fund can be made at http://www.bmycharity.com/V2/welfarefund">www.bmycharity.com/V2/welfarefund

For more charities which provide support for the armed forces, go to http://www.mod.uk/publicsupportforourservicepersonnel">www.mod.uk/publicsupportforourservicepersonnel