Tearful families leapt into the arms of their loved ones at RNAS Yeovilton on Wednesday as weary troops returned to base after a four-month deployment in Afghanistan.

Mums, wives, girlfriends and children could hardly contain their excitement as they waited patiently to be reunited with the 24 members of 847 Squadron who had to endure Christmas away from home in the desert.

Applause rang out through the helicopter hanger as the troops were treated to a heroes' welcome.

The soldiers were due to return from Camp Bastion on Monday but a series of false starts and travel problems meant they and their families faced an agonising three-day wait.

Tracey Cleeton, 42, of Portland, could not wait to see her husband of two years PO Brian Cleeton, a Lynx helicopter engineer, and said: "Every day we've been getting ready for them to come back and then it's been put back. It's so exciting – Christmas was a difficult time and it was Brian's birthday while he was away as well.

"He's never been away from me for more than two days before this.

"I spent Christmas on my own really, but we'll make up for it now Brian's home."

Belated Christmas presents and turkey dinners await many of the brave troops who are over the moon to be home.

Leading hand Aircraft Engine Technician James Berkshire, from Ilchester, was greeted by wife Natalie, children Owen and Mykisha, and an excitable new pet dog Blade.

He said: "I'm absolutely elated, extremely pleased to be back to see my wife and kids and it looks as though I've got a new puppy to meet as well.

"Being away from everyone over Christmas was hard, I've never done that before. But we've had so much support from people at home, moral parcels and videos."

Clinging to her dad's hand, proud Mykisha, 8, said: "I am pleased he's home, I've missed him."

The squadron has been busy in the war-ravaged Helmand region in southern Afghanistan, using its five Lynx helicopters to support other aircraft, escort convoys, ferry troops and transport casualties.

Squadron leader Lieutenant Allan Hall said he was proud of what his men had achieved: "They have had a particularly difficult stretch being away over Christmas, but the guys have done incredibly well.

"We've had five Lynx out there and they have been busy escorting high-value assets, like Chinook helicopters, which have to have an escort to fly, taking part in surveillance missions, convoys.

"They have played a vital part in operations and I think if you talk to any one of the guys, you'll find they all feel like they have achieved something and made a difference.

"We are very proud of them."

Chopper pilot Adam Zipfell, 29, from Sherborne, returned from Afghanistan three weeks ago and was on hand to welcome back his comrades.

He said: "I'm leaving the squadron soon to become an instructor so I was allowed to leave early and get back in time for New Year, which was great. While I was out there, I found it easier to just pretend Christmas wasn't happening until I was back here with my family.

"It was a really good tour though, we built up relationships with the other guys out there and the flying was very varied.

"For me, I think it was one of the most rewarding tours I've been on. Everyone has done a great job."

The troops can look forward to a well-earned rest and quality time with their loved ones before reforming for a decompression tour, that is an informal training session, which could see them skiing, hill climbing, or even skydiving. Then it is back to base ahead of jungle training in Malaysia in April.

But for now, they are just thrilled to be back with their families.

Hugging his girlfriend Bronwen Haine, of Yeovil, Aircraft Engine Technician Rob Jenkins, 22, said: "It's just good to be home. I'm really happy – I don't know what else to say."