The Sun reports that "Dozens of soldiers off to the frontline in Afghanistan have been freezing their sperm in case they are killed or maimed." The article continues:

Worried squaddies have paid private firms to store samples as an "insurance policy".

Their Army wives and girlfriends will use the sperm to become pregnant if their loved ones are killed or can no longer father children.

One 28-year-old wife said: "This practice is more common than you think.

"Army wives and girlfriends already have to deal with their partners maybe not coming home.

An added torment is that their dreams of a child are also shattered.

"If my husband dies, he's given me permission to use his sperm to have our baby. It's an insurance policy, should the worst happen."

Fears over childlessness grew after an increase in groin injuries and damage to reproductive organs from IED bombs.

Last month the MoD issued a memo advising that private sperm freezing and storage for a year could cost as much as £1,000.

A spokesman said last night: "The MoD provides all military personnel with pre-deployment advice on fertility preservation."

• Sun article, by Virginia Wheeler: Dozens of soldiers off to Afghanistan have frozen their sperm in case they are killed