A Bradford soldier has sent a heartfelt plea from Kuwait to Telegraph & Argus readers for "a small piece of home" and basic essentials to help boost the troops' spirits as they prepare for likely war with Iraq.

In his letter to the T&A, Sergeant Martin Shackleton, 31, who is an electrical mechanical engineer with the 3rd Battalion Reme in the British Army, wrote of the conditions faced in the desert.

"As you can imagine, out here in Kuwait, getting ready for the big push, things are very hard and the working hours are very long," said the former Hanson School pupil.

"Myself and the men who work for me are good, honest soldiers who are getting by as best we can.

"I am writing on their behalf in the hope that the Telegraph & Argus could ask the people of Bradford to support their soldiers and send anything they can to support us."

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said he was certain people in Bradford would help the soldiers' plight.

"No doubt people in Bradford will give generously, as they always do," he said.

"I cannot comment on the conditions over there as I would have to see them for myself, but I'm sure it cannot be pleasant."

Sgt Shackleton, who also sent his love to parents Roy and Christine Shackleton, of Moorside Road, Eccleshill, stressed they were not begging for goods but were "logistically challenged".

He said basics required were razors, shower gel, toothpaste, and "anything that could put a smile on the lads' faces, ie sweets".

"It may sound insignificant but a small piece of home makes a big difference to the morale of the troops out here," he said.

Last month the T&A reported how Royal Marine Andrew Forbes, of Keighley, appealed to his family for food parcels because squaddies were struggling to survive on basic Army rations.

Sgt Shackleton, who joined the Army 14 years ago, said he was finding it particularly difficult to be separated from wife Cressida, of Leeds, whom he married at St Luke's church, Eccleshill, nine years ago, and their two-year-old son Harry.

They are living at a British Army barracks in Paderborn, Germany, where he was based for three years before being sent to Kuwait on February 8.

Today his mum Mrs Shackleton, who last saw him in August last year when he came to Bradford on holiday, said she was certain her "happy-go-lucky" son was coping well and his appeal was to help keep the younger soldiers' spirits up.

"He's served in Bosnia and he knows that in his job as a soldier there will be a lack of supplies, but he knows they need the basic supplies to be able to do their job," said the mother-of-four.

"He's not the type to let things get on top of him and is always ready for a laugh and a joke. It will be the younger ones who will be feeling it the most, the ones who are 18 or 19 and have never been away from home before.

"Martin is an approachable man who loves to have a joke and no doubt the younger ones will be turning to him for support."

"We are missing him dearly and our thoughts are with him every day," said Mrs Shackleton, a GP practice manager.

Goods can be sent to Sgt Shackleton at: 3rd Battalion Reme, Gis Coy, Op Telic, BFPO 662.