But for Fylde coast troops serving in Basra, the outing on Christmas morning was no ordinary run.

Members of the first battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (1 Lancs) were among the 500 members of the armed forces who took part in the charity "turkey trot" – a five- kilometre fun run around the army's main operating base in Basra.

Dressed in a range of crazy costumes – ranging from television characters to scuba gear and black tie – the troops braved the desert heat to raise cash for the charity Help for Heroes, organised by The Sun newspaper.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Porter, Commanding Officer of Contingency Operating Base Support Unit, said: "We wanted to organise a fun event for the troops on Christmas Day and decided to try to raise some mon-ey at the same time for a good cause.

"There were medals for the fastest male and female.

"And the best fancy dress prize went to the '118 118' girls."

Organisers hope to raise over £15,000 in entry fees and donations.

Top ranking runner from 1 Lancs was Blackpool's own Kingsman Karl Hyde, who finished a respectable 15th.

It wasn't just Iraq where Fylde coast troops were lacing up their running shoes.

In Afghanistan's Helmand Province troops from the Weeton-based second battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment donned fancy dress on Boxing Day.

The run followed a happy Christmas day for the soldiers who received hundreds of boxes of gifts from generous Fylde coast folk following the Gazette's Help Our Heroes campaign.

Costume ideas included Spider-man, Superman and even a smurf, as soliders raised cash for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association (Blesma).

Jacqui Longdon, of Blackpool's Blesma home at Lytham Road, South Shore, was pleased to see today's troops thinking of their injured colleagues at home.

She said: "It is wonderful to see this happening.

"We are trying to keep in touch as much as possible with the soldiers out there.

"The old boys we have here keep a close eye on what is happening out in theatre and they will be so pleased to see these serving soldiers thinking of them at home.

"To have the serving soldiers raising money for their injured colleagues and the older veterans we have, is just fantastic."