A depot has been criticised over failures to get equipment to frontline soldiers during the Iraq war.

But despite the failings, the report also praised the scale and speed of the operation.

According to a National Audit Office (NAO) report, nuclear, chemical and biological weapon protection suits and desert clothing did not reach or fit many troops.

And in one incident -- "an extreme case" -- the 1 (UK) Armoured Division sent a team back from Kuwait to Bicester Defence Storage and Distribution Centre in an attempt to find missing NBC detection kit.

The report described a tracking system as ineffective, which led to shortages and loss of confidence in the supply chain.

Sir John Bourn, head of the NAO, said: "The scale of the operation and the speed with which it was carried out are both extremely impressive.

"There were problems, but these should be seen in the wider context of the overall success.

"The lessons in this report which the MoD can learn from will mean that its performance will be further improved in the future." A spokesman for the MoD said there had been a tracking system in place, which met requirements, but it needed some improvements, which were being addressed.

He said: "Bicester did exceptionally well making sure essential supplies got to theatre.

"We got out the same amount of equipment as in the first Gulf War, but in half the time, and it's places like Bicester that made that happen."

Staff at the Bicester depot worked 24 hours a day during the Middle East conflict and shipped hundreds of tonnes of equipment to soldiers.

In recent awards to honour servicemen for their courage and professionalism during the war, Warrant Officer Dave Boswell was given an MBE for his work at the depot ensuring soldiers involved in Operation Telic received vital equipment.