IT'S ALL wrapped up! Di Brooks of Totton, mum to a reservist serving in Iraq, is taking up the government's offer of free parcel post which starts today.

For Di, it is an ideal chance to get some of life's little necessaries to her 35-year-old daughter Sally, a naval petty officer serving with the medical reserves in a field hospital at Shaibah airfield near Basra.

Sally's 2kg parcel contains toiletries plus tasty treats like chocolate biscuits and soup to spice up her rations.

Di has spent more than £20 so far on sending parcels to the Gulf, including £5.38 to post a box of soap powder.

"A fiver to send a parcel doesn't sound much but it mounts up, and it must have been hard for some families," said Di from her home in Northlands Road.

She said daughter Sally - a manager at Bitterne Leisure Centre in Southampton - found the desert heat of over 45C and constantly sweaty clothes among the worst trials of Operation Telic - the name for Britain's part in the Iraq campaign.

"Soap powder was a must. Sometimes Sally wore the same uniform for five days without washing," said Di, who works in Calmore as parliamentary case worker for New Forest East MP Julian Lewis.

Di and husband Ray are intensely proud of Sally, who has been a naval reservist for more than 17 years, using her weekends to amass a range of military skills.

Said Di: "She's a fantastic daughter and we all just want her home quickly."

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram has announced that parcels of up to 2kg can be sent free to BFPO addresses in the Gulf from today but he appealed to families to limit the number of packets they send so the system does not overload. Packets addressed to named individuals only will be accepted.