In pictures: Royals in Kabul

The BBC's Paul Vickers recently accompanied the Royal Marine Commandos on patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, and documented their day.

Leaving the base is tense. There is a daily intelligence briefing and this morning the risk from suicide bombers is assessed as "substantial".

The patrol winds through an area known as "the Russian flats". Built by the occupying Soviets, they provide relatively good housing for thousands of Kabulis.

The patrol fans out into the local market. There is plenty of food but shoppers complain to the soldiers that prices have gone up and they can't afford to feed their families.

The patrol attracts the attention of curious children. The Royal Marines make friends with the street kids; they'll be the first to tell you about anything unusual.

It's 0930 and already 40 degrees. The threat from suicide bombers and roadside bombs is high.

Appeal to people's hearts and their minds will follow. During the World Cup the Afghans come to their balconies to laugh at the soldiers playing football.

Corporal Bewick is invited to share a glass of tea with Aktar, a grandfather who says the security situation here is good, but he worries about his grandchildren.

A small boy runs around a corner and collides head-on with a light machine gun. Two Marines break out trauma packs and stop the bleeding.

Fresh troops from Macedonia are introduced to their new tour of duty. Someone jokes that a British Army Land Rover is not adequately armoured. Few people laugh.

The Macedonian patrol gets under way. Perhaps this soldier is better protected than his counterparts in the Royal Marines.

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