MOD says BFPO can’t keep up

Soldiers from Afghanistan have been so overwhelmed with care packages from members of the public the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are asking people to stop sending them.

The British Forces Post Office (BFPO) has instructed Royal Mail staff not to accept any parcels addressed to unnamed soldiers because thousands of unsolicited packages are overloading the system.

Lieutenant Colonel Brett Duxbury from the BFPO said they will not be passing anonymous care packages onto soldiers in Afghanistan.

To send all of them would cost the MoD an extra £19million.

He said: “The free delivery system was set up so families and friends of soldiers could send a package of 2kg or under.

“Unsolicited mail was placing a massive strain of the supply train and delaying personal mail from home.

“We thank the British public for their generosity but we are asking people to support the services in other ways such as through dedicated charities.”