Queen's special forces message

The Queen will send a special Christmas message to British troops serving in Iraq, Buckingham Palace said today.

The recorded radio message is thought to be the first of its kind during her 52-year reign, and is in addition to her annual broadcast.

It will be played during Christmas Day breakfast shows, on the British Forces Broadcasting Service, to forces in Iraq and Brunei as well as British garrisons in Germany.

Troops and their familiesstationed at Catterick-Colchester, Aldershot, Bulford and Tidworth will also be able to tune in.

In the Queen's Christmas Day TV and radio broadcast, to be aired in Britain at 3pm, she will take the theme of " tolerance and respect in a changing world", the Palace said. A text version will also be on www.royal.gov.uk