FAMILIES of servicemen who braved the Iraqi conflict have reacted with despair over fresh news of equipment shortages in the gulf.

Soldiers from across west Wiltshire were called up for war but many relatives left waiting at home were forced to buy and send out vital supplies.

Denise Deveney, of Westbury, had to send out desert goggles for her 27-year-old son Justin, while he was serving with the Royal Engineers.

She said: "My opinion of the army is not very high at the moment. Before the war my son had to buy a lot of his own kit and we even had to buy and send out proper sand goggles because the ones they were issued with didn't work."

Kathryn Medlycott, of Southwick, mother of helicopter pilot Lisa said: "You don't ever think your children will be in war without the right equipment but it is frightening.

"I sent out small things to Lisa like a head torch but didn't find any major problems."

Corporal David McFarlane, of Warminster, served with the Royal Tank Regiment based in Qatar.

His wife Melissa said: "It is devastating for the families if something goes wrong because of a problem with equipment."

This week the MoD signalled it is ready to issue enhanced body armour to all troops after officials came under attack from MPs.