Christmas on the frontline: Messages from our troops

Royal Navy sailors on board the Portsmouth based warship HMS Westminster have been enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner at sea.

The Ship, which will be away over the Christmas period, had been hoarding away in her freezers 80kg of Turkey along with 20kg of Beef and Gammon, 120kg of potatoes, 30kg broccoli, 30kg carrots, 150 yorkshire puddings, 300 pigs in blankets, 20kg brussel sprouts and to top it off, 15 Christmas cakes.

The towpath disappeared along the River Medway in Maidstone.

54 Flood Warnings remain in place across the south east and 100 Flood Alerts are in place where residents are told that flooding is possible.

For more details from the Environment Agency click here.

Troops from the Meridian region serving in Afghanistan this Christmas have been sending their special messages to loved ones back home.

It comes as the Prime Minister David Cameron reiterated his pledge to pull soldiers out of the country by the end of 2014.

The troops included in this Christmas message are:

Sapper Ben Msichilli from Maidstone, Lance Corporal Nicola Thompson from Bournemouth, Air Trooper Leo Domeisen from Bournemouth, Corporal Matthew Rogerson from Reading and Signaller Tom Page from Hastings.