From tea bags and deodorant to sweets and treats, the boxes were signed, checked and weighed before being loaded into trucks at RAF Wittering earlier this week.

In a few days time, the small but jam -packed packages will soon reach RAF Wittering-based personnel and other servicemen and women in the Middle East.

The box scheme is part of Peterborough Supports Heroes – a campaign launched by Gloria Aschettino, of Tanglewood, Werrington, Peterborough – to spread a more positive light on the work of the city's soldiers and airmen.

She was spurred into action following reports of a member of military personnel suffering abuse in the city, which prompted the then Commanding Officer of RAF Wittering, Group Captain Ro Atherton, to ban her staff from wearing their uniforms in Peterborough.

Mrs Aschettino's eldest son, Guiseppe, is a former soldier and her youngest son, Liam (18), is serving in Afghanistan with the 23rd Engineer Regiment of the 51st Parachute Squadron.

She has been supported in the campaign by staff and regulars at the Dragon pub, in Werrington.

She said: "I was quite shocked to find out that there are a number of troops who don't receive any gifts or parcels from family or friends back home and knew we had to do something.

"We wanted to show that we are thinking about them while they are out on the frontline unlike us who are just doing an eight hour day.

"I send Liam three boxes a week and even when he gets back next week after seven months in Afghanistan, I will continue sending them myself, so his other friends can have them.

"We will keep this project going for as long as the public keep donating items."

Corporal Richie Pellew (37) has just returned from four months in Al Udeid, Qatar, with the Royal Air Force.

The father-of-one said: "When we are abroad we do miss a lot of the creature comforts that we rely on back home, so these boxes are a well received.

"But to receive boxes like these, which have been packed up by strangers, means more than receiving something from a family member.

"It is nice to know that people back home are thinking about us and support us.

"The boxes are also packed with thought and are full of items that we need and benefit from. It can be a very lonely time out there and the gifts simply brighten up the day."

Wing Commander Dan Stellmacher added: "This idea is fantastic. It is a very public show of support from our local people which is really important.

"It is also a proactive way of helping the men and women who are out there.

"A lot of people are full of understanding but saying and doing are completely different things. These boxes provide a bit of fun but also show support."

For more information, visit www.peterboroughsupportheroes.org