Santa song is army hit

When John Woolridge penned a Christmas song in 1982 in honour of the heroes at battle in the Falklands War he never dreamed it would be heard across the world.

But 25 years later, the song is providing British soldiers in Iraq with some memories from home.

Singers from Bramford Primary School, Woodsetton, have recorded Santa Send My Daddy Safely Home To Me, which is making waves on the British Forces Radio Network (BFRN).

And after proving such a hit among the troops, a school in Texas is preparing to record their own version of the song for US soldiers at battle. John sent a copy to their largest army base, Camp Hood in Texas.

"I first wrote the song in 1982 because I was on the PTA of my children's school. It was after the huge hit Grandma, which apparently raised around £270,000 for the school which recorded it," the 62-year-old said.

"The school asked if I could write a song to raise money, and so I came up with this in honour of the soldiers in the Falklands."

It was when John's grandchildren, who are pupils at Bramford, asked him for ideas to raise cash for Children in Need that the songsheet was dusted off again.

He said: "We are hoping that a video of them singing it will be played on Children In Need.

"I don't want a penny for this; I want it all to go to charity."