The conflict in Afghanistan is one of the biggest British military campaigns since the Second World War.

But despite the progress being made, the war rarely hits the headlines, with the achievements of our troops upstaged in the national media by the pointless antics of celebrities and sports stars.

But out there, in some of the harshest conditions on earth, men and women from Oxfordshire are fighting to bring peace and stability to this troubled land.

Among them are members of Oxfordshire's territorial infantry battalion, 7 Rifles.

These brave folk risk death and injury every day.

Most have hair-raising stories to tell - tales of close shaves with Taliban mortars, rockets and roadside devices, of suicide bombers and hidden Russian landmines.

But what is most impressive is that they are people like us - engineers, lorry drivers, office workers, nurses, and electricians - who are balancing their efforts in the TA with careers and family life at home.

Spirits are high. All are convinced of the importance of the job they are doing, and most are thoroughly enjoying it.

Most admit to being homesick. They miss the freedom to go to the shops, to cook a meal and eat it from a proper plate with a metal knife and fork, or to pop to the pub.

And, most of all, they miss their family, friends and workmates.

But despite the hardships, they all say they have been struck by the level of public support - in the shape of letters, cards and parcels.

People may or may not agree with Britain's role in Afghanistan but, it seems, we are all getting behind our boys and girls on the ground.

Things are not getting easier. The Taliban are a formidable enemy. But, while our men and women are out there, we owe it to them to continue to stand by them.