Today The Evening Star is urging you to send messages of support to our heroes at this festive time.

Today The Evening Star is urging you to send messages of support to our heroes at this festive time.

With only hours left until Christmas Day arrives, spare a thought for the brave soldiers who are away from their families and risking their lives for their country by fighting on the front line in Afghanistan.

As a mark of respect, we are dedicating a section of our website to allow family, friends and others grateful for their efforts to wish troops serving abroad a “Happy Christmas” - and remind them we are behind them.

Currently there are more than 1,000 troops from our region in Afghanistan, with around 700 Suffolk-based servicemen and women among them.

Senior army officers have today The Evening Star's campaign to support the troops highlighting the significant impact messages have on serving soldiers.

Captain Adey Penn, of 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, said: “At this time of year, messages from home are very important for those serving overseas and far from loved ones.

“The Vikings are a local regiment with many links to Suffolk, as we not only recruit from the area but our regimental headquarters is in Bury St Edmunds.

“It means a huge amount for the soldiers to know that the people of Suffolk are thinking about them and I thank the people of the county for consistently offering that unwavering support.”

To leave your messages of support visit www.eveningstar.co.uk, click on Heroes and leave your message. Soldiers based in Afghanistan can then log on to the website to receive their messages in time for Christmas.