An appeal, backed by the Hampshire Chronicle, for stationery to send to the children of Umm Qasr in Iraq, has been a great success.

The appeal was started by Karen Arnold, of Harestock, whose husband, Edward, is a sergeant serving there with the 23rd Pioneer Regiment.

He asked her to collect stationery to send out to him for the schools because he wanted to help return some degree of normality to everyday life in the wartorn city.

Chronicle readers have already delivered enough colouring pens, books, pencils, notebooks and exercise books to the newspaper office to fill five large mail sacks.

One contributor had won £10 on the lottery and had used the money to buy items for the appeal.

Karen says she's delighted with the response. "I'd like to thank everyone who has donated something, no matter how small, and to keep up the good work."