UK troops prepare for Christmas

There will be no break in patrols for Christmas

British troops in Iraq are preparing for Christmas away from home, at their bases across the south of the country.

Carol services are taking place and Christmas dinner will be served between patrols to the almost 10,000 troops working over the festive period.

The Muslim culture, sunshine and desert landscape provides an unusual but memorable backdrop to the festivities.

Gifts from home will be delivered, but it is a 24-hour job and there will be no break in operations.

The preparations took place as it emerged that the UK has paid a total of £6,600 in compensation to 19 Iraqi civilians injured in incidents involving British troops.

Defence Minister Adam Ingram also said that undisclosed payments had been made to the families of three Iraqis whose deaths involved UK forces.

'Splendid' lunch

Despite being away from home, the troops intend to make the most of the day.

"We always cook a splendid Christmas lunch," said Army doctor Nick Low, who is stationed in Basra, southern Iraq.

Everyone seems to be happy enough and we're just getting on with it Lisa Hughes Queen's Speech aimed at troops

The troops are allowed two cans of beer each to celebrate and games and parties will be laid on at the British base.

Dr Low, who is based at RAF Honington in Lincolnshire, said spending Christmas in the armed forces was always "special", despite missing his fiancée.

He said: "I'd rather I was here than those who have children. It makes more sense for me to be away than them and I think most guys feel the same.

"My fiancée is pretty robust about it too. I'm going to see her for Valentine's Day and we'll celebrate Christmas then."

'Back to work'

Armed forces spokesman Major Charlie Mayo said he would spend the day thinking about his wife and two small children.

It is his first Christmas away from home.

UK troops abroad Germany: 21,500 Gulf region: 9,570 Cyprus: 3,250 Falkland Islands: 1,240 Bosnia/Croatia: 1,153 Kosovo: 296 Gibraltar: 420 Afghanistan: 377 UN missions: 456

"I'm going to be really busy. I will have five minutes' peace by the river to think about my family but then it will be back to work," said the 39-year-old, from Warminster, Wiltshire.

Lisa Hughes, from Llandudno in Wales, said she would be calling home and making the most of Christmas in Iraq.

She said: "Everyone seems to be happy enough and we're just getting on with it.

"We're all here with our friends and that's the main thing."

One distraction for the troops is the new Shaibah Logistics Centre, just outside Basra, which is run by the Naafi.

The centre, which opened last week, has a big-screen bar and a shop selling the latest CDs, books and magazines.

After our Christmas dinner, it's bingo night. We try to get everyone in the Christmas spirit Sergeant Major Poole

Father-of-four Sergeant Major Poole, 38, from Abingdon, Oxford, is facing his first Christmas on duty for 21 years.

"We've got a great day planned here," he said.

"We're going for a fun run in the morning in fancy dress. Then we'll play football and volleyball in the afternoon.

"And after our Christmas dinner, it's bingo night. We try to get everyone in the Christmas spirit."

Road accidents

Revealing the compensation payments to Iraqis, Mr Ingram said investigations are under way into the circumstances surrounding another 13 deaths allegedly caused by UK troops.

The payments all related to the period after 1 May, when major combat operations were declared over.

A total of 73 compensation claims had been made by Iraqi civilians who said they had been injured by British service personnel.

Mr Ingram also revealed that at least 428 British military vehicles had been involved in road accidents in Iraq since major combat operations concluded.

The accidents led to the deaths of two servicemen and nine vehicles being written off.