THE commander of HMS Ledbury has thanked townspeople for their support and says morale is high as the ship continues operations close to Iraq.

Speaking from the Gulf, Lt Cmdr Peter Olive, pictured, said he and the crew valued the backing they had received.

He said a letter of support from Ledbury mayor Noel Roberts, on behalf of the community, had been much appreciated. He urged local people to write to crew members to help keep up morale.

It has been a busy time for HMS Ledbury, which has been clearing mines in the 50-mile stretch of waterway leading to Umm Qasr, Iraq's only deep-water port, which is now in coalition hands.

Last week HMS Ledbury found an Iraqi minefield for which several coalition ships had been searching.

A cluster of four mines were discovered by the ship, just 24 hours before the supply ship Sir Galahad was due to arrive with humanitarian supplies for Iraqi civilians.

The crew of HMS Ledbury used remote controlled vehicles to drop charges by the mines, which were reported to have made "a hell of a bang."

Lt Cmdr Oliver said: "Morale is pretty high at the moment. For many of the crew, it's the highlight of their careers. We watched Sir Galahad with baited breath as it went over our patch."

Although HMS Ledbury has not come under enemy fire so far, Cmdr Olive said "there is real danger round us, and it keeps up our vigilance."

Anyone wishing to write to a member of the ship's crew should address their correspondence to HMS Ledbury, BFPO 324, A Sailor.