Soldiers serving on the front line in Afghanistan and those recovering from injury back in the UK are to receive Valentine’s cards with a difference from local schoolchildren.

Pupils are creating hand-made cards to send out to soldiers in an initiative co-ordinated by the Department of Education’s Family Library.

The library has long-established links with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, which has a number of Manx soldiers serving with it.  In 2008, five soldiers from the Regiment called in to the library to thank young members for their support.

Now Family Library members and their families, as well as schoolchildren throughout the Island, are busy decorating cards to send to the Regiment.

Soldiers in Afghanistan, as well as those recovering at Selly Oak Hospital and Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre from injuries sustained in the conflict, will receive the cards in time for Valentine’s Day.

Librarian-in-charge Mary Cousins said the initiative was "to show soldiers stationed in Afghanistan that we are thinking about them and are grateful for the work that they are asked to do.

"We would also like to send good wishes to military personnel who are injured in action."

Pictured: A selection of the finished cards.