A GENEROUS travel agent has sent hundreds of parcels to Afghanistan to help improve conditions for frontline troops.

Keith Pike, the owner of Highway Travel, in Ongar High Street, began sending off books and sweets in June inspired by his son Tom, who has recently come back from a six-month tour of Afghanistan with the RAF.

He said: “I'm involved in freemasonry and a guy at the lodge was appealing for books and sweets. I thought 'This is a good thing'.

“My son's in the RAF and I pretty well found out these people have got virtually nothing. All the shops there are based on dollars and they don't get a lot for their money.

“I just think the lads there are hard done by and to get a parcel is a real help. Five per cent of people in the armed services have no parents or relatives. I've received dozens of letters of support telling me to keep doing it. I've even had letters from Gurkhas.”

Since he started sending parcels, Mr Pike, 57, has received growing support in the town, with many people dropping off goods, and a neighbouring shoe shop providing free boxes.

He said: “I've now got a fighting fund of £800, and shed-loads of books, tea bags, toothbrushes and sweets.

“There's a lot of support in the community and that's the big thing. Throughout the country there's quite a few people doing what I'm doing. I couldn't have done this without the support of my family- even my mum's involved. I think it's important that people get behind the troops.”

Mr Pike has so far sent off over over 300 parcels with more planned in the new year.

Anyone wishing to donate goods can leave them at Highway Travel.