SOLDIERS from York and North Yorkshire, who will be spending Christmas on duty in Northern Ireland, have sent festive wishes home to their loved ones.

Members of the 1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, are currently half-way through a two-year tour of duty based in Omagh, County Tyrone.

Lance Corporal Jeremy Hammond, 31, from York, who has also served in Sierra Leone, Kenya, Belize, and Jamaica in his five years in the Army, said: "I would like to wish a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to Michelle and Charlotte."

Former Millthorpe School pupil, Private Craig Francis, 18, has been a soldier for two years.

He said: "I would like to say a big happy Christmas to my parents, my fiance, Phillippa, and her family."

Private Jonathan Spayne, a former pupil of Huntington School, joined the regiment only last year.

Pte Spayne, 19, said: "I want to wish a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to everyone back home from all the lads in Omagh. See you soon."

Lance Corporal Darren Smith, a former pupil of Oaklands School who joined the Army in 1994, will also be on duty over the Christmas period.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Green Howards, are also serving in the Northern Ireland, based at Ballykelly, County Londonderry.

Among them is Private Kevin Peirse, 21, a former Thirsk School pupil from Easingwold.

He said: "Best wishes to my family and friends and merry Christmas to my girlfriend, Lyn."

Despite being separated from loved ones, morale among the troops will be kept high with a variety of organised events.

Every soldier on duty in Northern Ireland over Christmas will be treated to a traditional lunch complete with all the trimmings.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, December 23, 2002