Soldier's mother offers support

British soldiers have war in Iraq in their sights

A Staffordshire mother whose son is in the army is setting up a support group for families with relatives in the forces.

Judith Shaw's 22-year-old son Mark is based in Germany with the Queen's Royal Lancers but his regiment has been told to prepare for possible war against Iraq.

Mrs Shaw, from Newcastle, has organised a meeting at the Dudson Centre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on Monday 17 February at 6.30pm.

She believes that it is important that relatives help each other during the coming weeks.

'Same feelings'

"It's not like being a mum at the school gates when you can see everyone else is in the same boat, so to speak," said Mrs Shaw.

"The meeting on Monday has not got a fixed agenda, but it is a chance to meet everybody else who is going through the same feelings.

"Hopefully we will be able to meet one another or ring each other up, and when one person is low, the other can pick them up."

Mrs Shaw last saw her son, who joined up 18 months ago, when he returned home for New Year celebrations.