People are being encouraged to support soldiers serving in Afghanistan this weekend.

MP Rehman Chishti is appealing for residents to join him to pack boxes of supplies for troops at his street stall at the Rainham Precinct on Saturday between 9am to 10.30am.

Rehman has teamed up with Support our Soldiers, a charity set up in 2003 to provide support for members of the Armed Forces, to send donated parcels to Afghanistan.

Items can include biscuits, sweets, crisps, books and toiletries as well as small cakes, tined fruits and playing cards.

He said: “I hope that local residents in Gillingham and Rainham will join me in supporting our soldiers by packing a box to send to Afghanistan so that we can bring some cheer to those serving our country abroad.

"Please pop along to the street stall in the Rainham Precinct on Saturday and pick up a box or bring some items to donate.”