Four British servicemen injured in Afghanistan

Four British servicemen have been injured in operations in Afghanistan.

One of the four is said to be seriously hurt. All are back in the UK receiving treatment.

The announcement came minutes after British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed that the majority of British troops on standby for Afghanistan have had their notice to move relaxed from 48 hours to one week.

"Given the more encouraging position on the ground I have decided to relax the notice to move for the bulk of these forces," he told MPs.

The troops on standby are members of 42 Royal Marines Commando and the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

"Leading elements of Two Para and 16 Air Assault brigade and key enablers will remain at 48 hours notice to move. The remainder of these forces will revert to their previous still high readiness state and will be able to move within one week," said Mr Hoon.