Almost 100 parcels are being sent to servicemen in the Gulf thanks to readers of the Lincolnshire Echo.

In just two weeks the Echo received hundreds of donations from local businesses, schools and individuals, and these have now been packed into boxes and to be sent out to Lincolnshire men and women serving in the Middle East.

Each parcel has to weigh less than 2kg and costs less than £7 to send - with the Echo footing the bill.

Echo staff packed up the boxes full of essentials such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, tinned food, shampoo, soap, brown sauce and tomato sauce, toilet paper, boiled sweets, throat sweets, magazines, newspapers, puzzles, books, tea, coffee and sugar.

The paper's Gifts for the Gulf appeal started when Lincoln mother Barbara Farrier approached the Echo, worried that her daughter in the RAF was not getting the basics during her tour of duty.

Echo editor Michael Sassi said: "This shows how generous the people of Lincolnshire can be.

"We are delighted with the response to the Gifts to the Gulf appeal."