Three children from Barham are getting a special Christmas present – the return of their father from service in Afghanistan.

Sgt Paul Rackley is being given 10 days’ Christmas leave to spend with wife Louise and their children George, 10, Lucy, eight, and William, 18 months.

Paul, 31, is on his second tour of Afghanistan and serves with the 1st Battalion, the Grenadier Guards and is based at Camp Bastion.

Louise, 33, said: "It is a lovely surprise and just feels absolutely fantastic. The children can hardly wait for Paul to come home."

The couple were married at St Giles’ Church in Kingston in September. Twelve days later Paul left for Afghanistan.

Louise works in the baby hearing screening unit at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, but is also training as a volunteer caseworker for SSAFA Forces Help, the charity which supports those who serve in the armed forces.

She said: "I just thought what can I do to help while my husband is away? I wanted to do my bit by volunteering for SSAFA Forces Help while our soldiers are out there"

Maj Gerry Bartlett who is secretary of the Canterbury and Ashford division of SSAFA Forces Help said: "We were all delighted to hear Louise’s good news.

"Christmas can be a difficult time for many in the armed services and our caseworkers will be on stand by over the festive period."

Log on to www.ssafa.org.uk for more information.