SAS hero Chris Ryan has thrown his weight behind the Treats for Troops campaign.

The former elite soldier-turned-author backed the drive to send morale- boosting boxes of goodies and letters to ‘our boys’ in Afghanistan.

Mr Ryan, who was part of the ill-fated Bravo Two Zero SAS patrol in the Gulf War, has supported the initiative before he gives a talk at Bovington Tank Museum next Thursday.

Mr Ryan said: “I know what it’s like to be away from home and in arduous conditions.

“There is nothing better than receiving mail from home. It is a great morale booster.”

He added: “The Treats for Troops campaign is a brilliant idea and I would urge everyone to get behind it.”

The Dorset Echo launched Treats for Troops in support of the Dorchester Comfort Box Appeal led by Dorchester councillor Molly Rennie.

Wellwishers are being urged to fill shoeboxes with essential items as well as luxuries and treats for named frontline soldiers, RAF personnel and seamen serving on the frontline in Afghanistan.

Mr Ryan will be appearing at the Bovington Tank Museum on September 10 at 7.30pm to launch a new series of evening lectures.

His appearance is timed to coincide with the publication of his new book, Fight To Win: Deadly Skills of the Elite Forces.

Mr Ryan has visited the area on book tours over the past 14 years but will take the opportunity to take his first trip around the Tank Museum.

He said: “I will be there for a couple of hours beforehand and will look around the museum.

“I am looking forward to the evening. With what’s going on in Afghanistan, the general public are well informed and many of the people there will have an interest in the military.

“There should be some good feedback and questions at the end of the talk.”

*Do you know anyone who is serving in Afghanistan or Iraq and would like a shoebox? If so contact Miriam Phillips on 01305 830985 or send an email to miriam.phillips@dorsetecho.co.uk

How you can help

What to put in: Biscuits, wet wipes, fruity chewy sweets, small bottles of ketchup or barbecue sauce, tabasco sauce, Lucozade sachets, puzzle and crossword books, make-up products, chewing gum and mints, letters, travel games, packs of playing cards, pots of long life fruit in jelly, lip salve, coffee and cappuccino sachets, moisturising lotion, magazines, custard and rice pudding, long-life food, small packets of dried fruit, dried nuts, American hard gums, Calypso juices, variety cereal packs, foot gel or powder.

What not to put in: Chocolate, aerosols, alcohol, cans, perfumed soap, anything that is likely to melt, heavy items or batteries.

Please remember, that there is a weight restriction on the boxes of two kilos,

Collection bin locations

Weymouth: Dorset Echo headquarters, Granby Industrial Estate; Superdrug, New Bond Street; Asda, Newstead Road, Morrisons, Dorchester Road; WH Smith, St Mary Street; Boots, St. Mary Street; Value House, Wyke Regis; Wilkinsons, Westham Road; Rieker Shoes, St Thomas Street; Littlemoor Hardware; Tesco Express.

Dorchester: Dorset Echo, Antelope Walk; Dorset County Council, Collition Park; Superdrug, South Street; Wellworths, South Street; Tesco, Weymouth Avenue; WH Smiths, South Street; SCATS Countrystore; Mousetrap.

Bridport: Bridport News office, East Street.

Portland: Codfathers Fish & Chips; Hairstudio; George Inn.