Britain to send more troops to Afghanistan

Defence Secretary Des Browne last night confirmed that more British troops are to be deployed to southern Afghanistan.

Mr Browne said the decision had been taken after efforts to persuade other Nato countries to help bolster the force in the volatile Helmand province failed.

“We are acutely aware that our Armed Forces, particularly the Army, continue to operate at a high operational tempo, but we believe this additional commitment is manageable,” he said in a statement released by the Ministry of Defence.