Katherine on high note with soldiers

Sep 6 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

OPERA babe Katherine Jenkins, the modern day "forces sweetheart", made a surprise morale-boosting visit to injured soldiers recovering in Birmingham.

The Welsh singer told Military of Defence bosses she wanted to tour wards and chat to injured servicemen at Selly Oak Hospital, where most military war casualties are sent.

The 27-year-old award-winning mezzo soprano is a major supporter of Britain's troops and has even been dubbed the new "Forces' sweetheart" by Dame Vera Lynn for her visits to entertain troops after the Iraq invasion.

Miss Jenkins said she was delighted to visit Selly Oak and added: "I heard about the military ward and I wanted to show my support."

Although she did not get chance to sing, Miss Jenkins handed out signed copies of her CD to patients during the appearance.

The visit helped raise the spirits of 34-year-old soldier Colour Sergeant Richard Jones of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh, who was injured in May in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.

It was also a treat for medics including NHS staff nurse Kari Ulrichsen and military staff nurse Sgt Samantha Haggan of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.

Miss Jenkins spent Christmas entertaining troops in Iraq in both 2005 and last year.

Selly Oak Hospital works with the military's Centre of Defence Medicine at the site to treat injured soldiers from around the world and in particular those from current battle zones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dignitaries often drop in to visit injured troops and military medical staff working at the hospital to honour their service and boost their morale.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have made several visits.