INCOMING! An artillery shell from Afghanistan is on its way to a Weymouth pub to surprise the landlord.

Unbeknown to Wyke Smugglers landlord Joe Stone, the 847 Naval Air Squadron has gone to great lengths to celebrate the pub’s fundraising efforts with a special gift.

Former Weymouth schoolboy and organiser Petty Officer Paul Holmes has teamed up with the Dorset Echo to surprise his local pub ahead of the squadron’s homecoming.

PO Holmes, aged 36, of Ferrybridge, arranged for a shell to be engraved with a special thank you message in recognition of Wyke Smugglers’ efforts in raising thousands of pounds for Help the Heroes.

He said: “For the people out here and their dependants who have lost people or lost limbs, Help the Heroes supports them and their families.

“We lost guys in 2006 and I know Help the Heroes helped their families.

“It’s nice that the pub regulars and people who aren’t connected with the services are prepared to put their hand in their pocket.

“We’re saying thank you to the people back in the UK, we really appreciate it.”

He added: “I’ve played football for the pub since I was 16, so I know the regulars well. My commanding officer loved the idea of presenting the pub with a shell so much that he’s rearranged the squadron’s decompression day, due to take place in Dartmoor, to take place in Weymouth instead later this summer.”

The event, at Castle Cove Sailing Club, will be followed by barbecue at the Wyke Smugglers pub where PO Holmes will present the shell and a squadron print to Mr Stone and regulars.

PO Holmes said: “We got an armourer out here to engrave ‘To Joe, the staff and all the regulars of the Wyke Smugglers our thanks and appreciation for the money raised for Help for Heroes. 847 Squadron-Op Herrick 2011, Afghanistan.’ “We also took the shell out flying.”