SHOPPERS donated food and wrote messages for soldiers in Afghanistan at the weekend.

Charity Support our Soldiers collected 120 boxes of tasty treats at Waitrose in Abingdon on Saturday. Conservative Party volunteers gave lists of needed items to customers entering the store.

West Oxfordshire Conservative Future chairman Liam Walker said: “We had a very positive reaction, people were asking if we were back again next week.”

The 22-year-old from Witney said: “I think it is brilliant, a really good idea. It shows we are thinking of our troops.”

Items included noodles, chocolate, crisps and toiletries and volunteers included Abingdon and Oxford West Tory MP Nicola Blackwood.

She said: “We mustn’t forget our troops at this time of year. Winter in Afghanistan is particularly harsh and links with home can seem very distant, especially in February when the Christmas post has gone.

“These boxes, along with the handwritten notes, are a small way to show them they have our genuine support and appreciation for all that they do to serve our country.”