A Royal Marines commando has sent an SOS to his family from the Kuwaiti desert saying "Send us some food - we're desperate."

And one MP is so "disturbed" that some of our troops might be short of basic supplies that she has promised to take up the issue with the Ministry of Defence.

The plea came from tough soldier Andrew Foers, 28, who is part of Britain's forces on standby for war with Iraq.

In a telephone call to his father Paul, in Keighley, he revealed how squaddies are struggling to live off the Army's basic ration packs of tinned and processed food. By contrast, he says, American troops are well-supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables - and even have burger bars set up in the desert camps.

Corporal Foers's sister, Debra Pratt, 34, of Eccleshill, Bradford, is now ringing round major supermarket chains to beg them to support the family's appeal to send food parcels to her brother - a commando for seven years - and the rest of the British troops.

"I think it is disgusting," said Mrs Pratt, a mum-of-four. "If the Government is sending troops out there to fight for their country they should at least be provided with proper food and kit."

Cpl Foers's dad, Paul, 53, a West Yorkshire Ambulance Service paramedic, said: "When I spoke to my son by telephone he said that they needed food.

"There have been all sorts of stories about shortages of supplies for our lads and lasses and it is obvious that things are not as good as they should be.

"I have no doubt there is going to be a conflict out there and our troops should get all the help they can get."

Today Mr Foers' MP Ann Cryer said she will take up the family's concerns with Army chiefs.

"I am very disturbed to hear about this. It is a basic necessity that out troops are clothed and fed properly," said Mrs Cryer (Lab, Keighley).

"I want the family to come to see me as soon as possible and I will take it up with the Ministry of Defence."

The Royal Marines corps, whose motto Per Mare Per Terra means By Sea, By Land, prides itself on professionalism and the commando course at Lympstone, Devon, which has to be completed to earn the coveted Green Beret, is acknowledged as being among the toughest military training in the world.

MoD spokesman Paul Sykes today said he was not aware of food supply problems to British troops.

He said they had access to a hot breakfast and evening meal each day provided by American MASH units and lived off ration packs when out on exercises but he admitted there could be "glitches" in the system.

"We are not sending out our troops to starve. That would be irresponsible and stupid on our part," he said.

"If there have been any glitches in the system and anyone has gone hungry then it is up to the individuals to take it up with their own military chain."

But Gulf War veteran Frank Clarkson, wasn't surprised to hear of the conditions being reported by some British troops.

He said: "It was the same in 1991. We were also living off compo rations, don't get me wrong, it will keep a soldier going but it is very basic and when you are waiting around for months it really isn't good enough."

Mr Clarkson, 45, of Pudsey, is a member of the Hull-based National Gulf Veterans and Families Association, which is fighting for Government compensation for hundreds of servicemen who say their health has been ruined by the anti-biological injections they were given in the 1991 conflict.

"I am a very patriotic person and I went to war to serve my country but I am now totally disabled," he said.

"I really feel for our lads out there. They will be feeling proud to serve their country but in ten years' time I hope they don't end up the same as me."

It is not the first complaint about supplies' shortages for British troops in the Gulf.

Supermarket giant Tesco, which supplies the force's NAAFI stores, is already sending thousands of toilet rolls after the Army was caught short this week.

A spokesman said the company sympathised with the troops' plight and it was helping in every way it could.

"The loo rolls have started winging their way to the Gulf but, unfortunately, it is too far away for us to send fresh food," he said.

"But we are already doing what we can to help provide some home comforts which is the least that the troops deserve out there."

Mrs Pratt urged anyone who wants to help the family's food parcel appeal to e-mail: paulfoers@virgin.co.uk.