British troops arrive in Afghanistan

The first British combat troops have flown into Afghanistan.

More than 100 Royal Marine commandos arrived at Bagram airbase just outside Kabul in darkness at 2115BST.

They are the first deployment of a total British force of 1,700 commandos, Royal Engineers and support personnel.

The force will be Britain's largest deployment since the Gulf War.

The 45 Commando Group will join US-led coalition troops.

British military officials would only say that the commandos will spend time acclimatising to altitudes of 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) at Bagram up to 13,000 feet.

Britain leads the International Security Assistance Force.

More soon....