Soldiers in Afghanistan have enjoyed two tonnes of turkey for Christmas dinner.

The troops were also treated to one-and-a-half tonnes of gammon, one-and-a-half tonnes of Brussels sprouts and 200kg of cranberry sauce, the Ministry of Defence said.

There was a tonne of Christmas pudding, 1,000 iced Christmas cakes, 15,000 mince pies and 45,000 After Eight mints.

But while the main camps and forward operating bases are equipped with canteens and catering facilities, those on the frontline in the outlying bases faced more austere conditions.

Sergeant Rupert Frere, 30, from Colchester, of the Royal Logistic Corps, said: "Being deployed at Christmas is always difficult for any soldier, and it's particularly hard for me this time as a new dad with my wife and daughter back at home in Colchester.

"But it's a great comfort knowing that the Army, and the other services, do what they can to make Christmas as fun as it can be for the boys and girls out here."