Heartwarming images revealing the close bond between serving soldiers and their children have been published in a charity calendar.

The collection of photos capture both the delight of the soldiers at home with their family, as well as the difficult times while they are away.

The calendar, which is being launched today by the charity Little Troopers, will raise money to help support over 150,000 children who have a parent in the armed forces.

One picture shows toddler Molly Frere, three, who went to work with her dad Sergeant Rupert Frere, 35, a member of the Royal Horse Guards serving in London.

During a tour of the stables she can be seen holding up her dad's large riding boots while another photo shows Lance Sergeant Duckworth kissing his 11-day-old child Charlie in front of the British flag.

Around 15 photos were selected for the calendar's pages and front cover along with a montage of the shortlisted photos on the back page.

The charity launched a competition for the calendar and three were selected for prizes.

First place in the competition went to one-year-old Harvey Logan Holt, pictured in his father's hat.

Second place went to a photo of Kian Roche, now four, welcoming home his dad Adam, 24, at Portsmouth dockyard following a long nine-month tour.

The rest of the images also capture both the delight of the children when their parents come home and the tougher times when they have to say goodbye.

One of the most touching pictures shows Olivia Broome, 7, Sophie Broome, 5 and Imogen Broome, 3, waving goodbye to their father, chief petty officer dad Dan, 37, aboard HMS Portland in Plymouth.

He is not due to return home until spring 2017.

Another image shows a very brave looking George Burgess, aged four, donning his own uniform and medals.

Another heartwarming photo shows young Teddy Woolls, aged two, holding a special cushion of his father while he sleeps.

The Little Troopers charity was initially set up by Louise Fetigan and Linda Trickett after their own first hand experiences of how deployment can affect children.

Louise herself served in the British Army and saw active service in Kosovo.

Her husband is a serving soldier who has undertaken six operational tours of duty since their daughter was born in 2003.

The British Armed Forces has around 144,000 trained active personnel, many of whom have to leave behind family during their active duties.

Louise wanted the charity to recognise the unique daily challenges children can face when a parent is serving.

They now provide events and resources to ease and aid repeated separation periods, be it one month or nine months to support children through that time apart from their parents.

Many of those parents responded to the charity's call out for photographs of their family to be sent in for the calendar competition, like those of one-year-old Penelope, pictured here with her Flight Sergeant mother Vicky Hindson and father Squadron Leader Kevin Hindson.

Pett Officer Alan Causer and his daughter Grace Mae Causer were also featured in one of the 500 snaps entered into the national competition.

Louise Fetigan of Little Troopers said: "This is the charity's fifth calendar, but the first to have photos from all three of our Armed Forces.

"The pictures show many of the emotions experienced by a military family from waving goodbye to Daddy's ship, the happiness when they come home and the tough times while they are away.

"We are lucky to share some very special moments with our families through these images; it is a great privilege."

The £9.99 calendar is on sale now and is available directly from Little Troopers.

Proceeds go to the charity, which works to support the children, dubbed 'little troopers', and families of British servicemen and women.