FESTIVE parcels stuffed with Christmas cheer were collected at a Hawkhurst school to send to British soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

Parents and children at Marlborough House School filled around 30 shoe boxes with toiletries, magazines, books, snacks and clothes to send to troops in time for Christmas.

The charity Support our Soldiers has been sending the parcels to overseas forces since 2003 and plans to send 12,000 boxes this year.