BBC Radio 2 have joined forces with the British Forces Broadcasting Service to transmit messages from loved ones to troops stationed in the Gulf region.

The service will begin this Sunday, with Steve Wright featuring requests and dedications to the forces in the second hour of his Sunday Love Songs show; Richard Allinson will also relay messages in his 10.30pm Monday to Thursday show.

BFBS will carry the shows on its 24-hour radio service, which will be broadcast to the Armed Forces via a network of FM transmitters specially set up across the region.

"BFBS approached us to see if we would do this and we were pleased to be able to help. Through these live link-ups we can help the 40,000 plus people currently stationed in the Gulf to keep in touch through dedications, messages and requests," said James Moir, Controller of Radio 2.

Charles Foster, BFBS Radio Controller, stated: "Our troops rely heavily on us for up-to-the-minute news and round the clock programmes made especially for them, many of which carry messages from their friends and families back home. Reaching out to those friends and families is another vital part of the service and I am delighted that BFBS has such solid support from BBC Radio 2 at this difficult time."

Virgin Radio will also be relaying messages to the Gulf forces, with Ben Jones' featuring requests and dedications on his 10am Saturday show.