THE party was in full swing when mums from all over Hereford welcomed their brave sons back home last Tuesday evening.

When Marie Richard's son Jonathan went off to help fight the war in Iraq it left her lonely, and wishing that she could talk to someone else who understood what she was going through.

Unable to locate any suitable local support groups already in existence Marie decided to make it her job to form her own group for mothers in Hereford just like her.

Word soon got around and the group soon adopted the Orange Tree pub in King Street as their official meeting place for their get-togethers every Tuesday evening.

Great friends

"It's been fantastic," said Marie. "The group gave everyone the opportunity to talk about things, get things off their chests and generally be a huge support. We've all become great friends and will continue to meet up regularly in these less stressful times."

The Signals Regiment, the First Light Infantry, the Parachute Regiment, the Royal Electrical Engineers and the Royal Navy were all represented on the evening.

A toast was made to those who had returned as well as those who had sadly lost their lives in action and will be remembered by all.