A TEAM of broadcasters from Oxford who have spent the past week presenting programmes from Afghanistan have spoken of their “amazing” experience.

Jack FM’s Morning Glory breakfast team deployed to the Army’s Camp Bastion in Helmand province last Sunday, becoming the first independent station in Britain to broadcast live from the country.

Newsreader Greg Burke, programme director and Oxford Mail columnist Sue Carter, presenter Trevor Marshall and producer and reporter Rosie Tratt delivered presents to troops and met Merlin helicopter crews from RAF Benson and troops from 23 Pioneer Regiment, who are based in Bicester.

Speaking from Afghanistan, Miss Carter said “It would be difficult to choose a highlight so far.

“From sitting in the jump seat of the TriStar for take-off and landing from RAF Brize Norton to Kandahar, to the Merlin helicopter ride from Kandahar to Bastion at night, to watching the landscape through night vision goggles while hanging out of the back of the open Merlin, freezing our bits off, it’s been amazing.

“Everyone has been so friendly, including the RAF Benson Merlin gang, the staff at the world’s busiest trauma hospital, the team who staff the MERT helicopters (Medical Emergency Response Team), and the incredibly brave and funny 23 Pioneer Regiment from Bicester.

“We can’t help but anticipate what else is in store on this incredible trip.”

The breakfast crew reunited serving soldier Matthew Cullinane in Camp Bastion with his pregnant fiancée Sophie Trice, who chatted live from Jack FM’s Summertown studios.

Meanwhile, Ms Tratt visited Lashkar Gah to speak to Afghans training at the National Police Centre and visited a school.

The show was beamed back to Oxfordshire using the equipment of the British Forces Broadcasting Service.

Earlier this week Prime Minister David Cameron phoned the show to wish the team good luck and asked Jack’s Morning Glory to pass on a message of how proud he was of our servicemen and women.

Station general manager Ian Walker said: “The coverage so far has spanned the full range of emotions from funny to poignant, and scores of Oxfordshire personnel have been able to pass messages to their loved ones back home.

“It has been a real privilege to listen to, as well as to be involved with behind the scenes.”

The breakfast team will present a final programme from Camp Bastion from 9am to 11am today before flying home tomorrow.