A family has already celebrated its Christmas Day, because one of them will be serving in Afghanistan over the festive period.

Trisha Carter, from Rushenden, enjoyed an early Christmas Day on Sunday as her son Gari Bleir, 20, was back from service on leave. He is due to fly back to Afghanistan on Saturday where he will be until the end of March.

The family enjoyed a Christmas dinner and even exchanged presents.

Gari serves in the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, along with many other men and women from the Island.

Trisha said: “It was lovely. We had all the family together and it was just like Christmas Day.

“It was something we wanted to do for Gari as he will have a very different Christmas this year.

“I know a lot of people do this for their sons and daughters.”