The Ministry of Defence has admitted that hundreds of British troops are spending the harsh Balkan winter in tents because of delays in building their accommodation.

Temporary barracks were supposed to be in place by the end of this month for the peacekeepers with the K-For force in Kosovo.

But they will now be available in mid-February - two weeks behind schedule.

In the meantime the troops are having to shelter in what the MoD described as "thick canvas" tents with heating. "It is very regrettable," a spokesman said.

The MoD said two problems had caused the delays - changes in the location of the temporary barracks and late delivery of equipment.

The conditions were condemned by Conservative MP Robert Key (Salisbury), who visited the troops last year.

"Some of the accommodation includes outside showers which are little more than a bucket with holes punched in the bottom, an earth floor and no drains.

"That is plainly unacceptable in freezing weather," he told The News of the World newspaper.

American troops are housed in huts with heating, air conditioning, and indoor showers and toilets. Their camp, Bondsteel, has two chapels, gyms and a library.