Most people will be preparing to celebrate Easter at the moment but one Shropshire family has held extra-special Christmas celebrations – three months late.

For the family of Ian Beech held the belated celebrations to mark the 18-year-old soldier’s return to Britain after five months on a tour of duty in Iraq. Gunner Beech, from Monkmoor in Shrewsbury, flew out to Iraq for his stint in the country last November.

The teenager has only just been able to return home to his family for a break.

And the serviceman marked the occasion with Christmas Day all over again – including festive decorations, presents, lunch and a day spent with the whole family.

Gunner Beech, who is serving with 16 Battery in 26 Regiment of the Royal Artillery, said: “On Sunday we had Christmas all over again.

“My mum did a Christmas dinner and we had crackers, dinner and everyone had presents.

“It was like having Christmas Day just in the middle of March.”

He spent the day celebrating with his parents Michael and Catherine, his brother Darren, 19, and grandparents and friends.

The former Belvidere School pupil returned to the UK last Tuesday and will fly back out of the country next Tuesday to serve either in Germany or Iraq.

He plans to remain with the Army at the end of his initial four years’ service, which has so far seen him being involved with the peace keeping operation in Iraq.

Since he returned to the UK Gunner Beech has been packing as much in as he can with so many people to catch up with including family, friends and girlfriend Issy.

He said: “It’s a case of getting around to see everybody because you’re only back for two weeks.

“I haven’t seen anyone for five months so it’s been about seeing my friends and my girlfriend and family.”

Gunner Beech added: “I found it hard to settle in when I got back but I’m getting used to it now.

“It was getting used to the lifestyle because you get settled so much out in Iraq with basic things but here you have computers, cars and day-to-day luxury items at home.”

However, Gunner Beech said that he was “really enjoying” his career in the Army.

He said: “A lot of things are different from what I expected but not in a bad way.

“I’m really enjoying it and it’s something I really want to be in.”