A ROYAL Air Force firefighter serving his country in Afghanistan has one home comfort to keep him company – the Bridgwater Mercury!

Christopher Mantyk has been stationed in Afghanistan for three months and his family have been sending him copies of the paper – so he can keep track of how his local rugby team, North Petherton, are getting on.

Chris said: “I was very happy and proud to see they beat our local rivals Bridgwater and Albion.

“My cousin, James Carter, who is captain of North Petherton Rugby Club, always keeps me up to date on the team’s progress while I am out here on operations and being a Petherton boy I am very proud of all the village’s sporting achievements.”