TROOPS serving in Afghanistan will have extra presents to lift their spirits this Christmas thanks to family and friends.

Mark Bishop, from Plymouth, is the chief instructor at the New Wave Taekwon-Do and PUMA club in Liskeard, and was at Lux Park with students from the club inviting people to donate a small gift to the 'Morale in a Box' scheme.

There are restrictions on what can be sent which include no aerosols and anything flammable or fragile.

Donations so far have included toothpaste, magazines and Christmas items such as hats, crackers and Christmas puddings.

'What we are hoping is that some of them will send messages of support for the troops as well to let them know that we are all proud of them.

'To me, this is what martial art is about; raising confidence and morale,' said Mark.

The donations will be sent to Sgt Karl Hammond, from Dobwalls, who will then distribute them among the troops.

He is serving in the 79 Battery with the 29 commando regiment royal artillery in Afghanistan and has been on active duty since the end of September and is not due to return home until April next year.

His wife, Alison, said: 'We really wanted to do something for Karl's battery because he is a student at the club.'

Mark added: 'All the students took part in activities on the same night to raise money for Children in Need.'