Haggis heads the menu in Helmand

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A Scots soldier has ensured Burns Night will be honoured by about 800 service personnel in Afghanistan this weekend.

Colour Sgt Scottie Lamont, of Sanquhar, in Dumfries and Galloway, has been the driving force behind marking the 250th anniversary of the poet's birth.

Troops will sit down to haggis, neeps and tatties at the Task Force Helmand HQ in Lashkar Gah on Sunday.

Sgt Lamont said he hoped the food, music and poetry would bring a "piece of home to Afghanistan".

The Ministry of Defence said that "operational tempo" meant a full traditional celebration was not possible and no whisky would be on offer.

However, it is expected about 800 service personnel will sit down to a Burns-themed evening.

'Spirit of Burns'

The camp's galley tent will be covered in Saltires and bagpipe music will be played before the traditional meal is served.

Copies of readings and poems will also be given out to "keep the spirit of Burns alive".

Sgt Lamont said: "25 January is our chance to uphold the tradition of Burns Night and reflect on the great passion of the man.

"A time to bring a piece of home to Afghanistan and remember that the qualities of Robert Burns are the qualities that still run through us today.

"As he said then, as we are now - shall brithers be for a'that."