A Londonderry minister today asked local people to send that most Northern Ireland of delicacies — Tayto crisps — to hungry troops in Afghanistan.

The Reverend David Latimer of First Derry Presbyterian Church spoke as it emerged that he was one of the first to administer to Ranger David Pepper, the young Derry man who was injured in an ambush in wartorn Helmand Province last week.

And he revealed that the soldiers are missing the taste of home, including the famous crisps as well as other goodies.

Earlier this month the clergyman embarked on perhaps his most challenging mission yet, joining a team treating British soldiers and Afghan nationals at a field hospital in Camp Bastion in Helmand.

Under punishing conditions, the Rev Latimer has been acting as a chaplain with the 204 (Northern Ireland) field hospital unit.

He has served with the Territorial Army for 25 years and is expecting to stay in Afghanistan for up to four months.

Derry man David Pepper, currently on his second tour of Afghanistan, was among six men wounded when an improvised explosive device blew up their patrol last week.

The 22-year, who was driving the vehicle hit by the blast, suffered arm and back injuries but was discharged from hospital on Monday.

The Rev Latimer, who prayed with Mr Pepper following his injury, called his meeting with the injured man “surreal”.

He added that morale was good at the camp and that it was “merciful” that the soldiers had not been more badly hurt in the attack, which split the vehicle Mr Pepper was driving in two.

“It seemed so surreal to be talking to a guy with the same Christian name as myself and from the same town and there we were chatting together 3,500 miles from home!” he said.

The Rev Latimer has urged people to remember all who are out in Afghanistan in their thoughts and prayers, as well as helping them indulge in a little home comfort in the searing heat of the Afghan desert.

“Comfort boxes with Tayto crisps, sweets and biscuits can be sent to me at Camp Bastion for distribution amongst the troops.

“It’s amazing the difference such simple things as these make,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Army said: “Anyone who wants to send anything to the troops can do so by marking it for the attention of the chaplain or padre at 204 Field Hospital, Camp Bastion, Helmand, British Forces.

“Alternately they can leave anything at their local army or TA camp to be forwarded on.”