Iraqi children are walking around in shoes donated by people from Oxfordshire.

Last month, soldiers serving in the Gulf from 23 Pioneer Regiment, of St David's Barracks, Bicester, launched an appeal asking people to send shoes to Iraq.

About 160 pioneers, including Sergeant Andy Jones who set up the appeal, returned home last week -- but before they left the southern Iraqi city of Umm Qasr they handed out about 100 pairs of shoes to children.

The regiment took control of the port city several weeks ago and have been helping to rebuild its infrastructure.

Sgt Jones said he and colleagues from the 187 Tancred Squadron, part of the pioneers, saw children walking barefoot and decided to do something about it.

So far the Shoes for Kids campaign has been inundated with parcels.

He said: "Umm Qasr has many poor families, with the children again falling victim to Saddam's harsh regime.

"The newly re-opened schools were the main focus for this operation, as the children that attended had basically nothing or very little on their feet.

"By mid-April the first parcels had started to arrive in the squadron's makeshift camp and by the end of the month there was a substantial stockpile."

Major Tim Muir, Captain Mac Macrury, Private Baz Lawrence and Sgt Jones were sent to two under-privileged schools in the city to hand out footwear.

Sgt Jones said: "Hundreds of children congregated around our vehicles to see what the squadron had brought for them.

"Within minutes our team was inside a small, but workable room, fitting children with all different kinds of footwear.

"The smiles on the children's faces and the very grateful parents said it all -- this campaign has made a difference.

"These children do not care about fashion, just survival. If the shoes fitted correctly and the child smiled, then it was a job well done. With a quick thank you, and the occasional hug, it was on to the next child."

He said the regiment wanted to thank everyone and urged people to continue sending footwear.

Donations can be posted to Shoes for Kids, 187 (Tancred) Squadron, 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC, Op Telic, BFPO 643.