TROOPS from the region who have been serving in Afghanistan have formally handed over their role to their successors.

The 1st Battalion of The Green Howards has been operating in the war-ravaged country for six months, but the troops have now returned to Britain.

However, the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Willis, remained for the handover ceremony at Camp Souter, in Kabul.

And he formally passed the "Afghanistan Roulemont Infantry Battalion Commitment" to the commanding officer of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Dennis.

The commander of the British forces in Afghanistan, Colonel Charlie Darrell, attended the ceremony and formally thanked The Green Howards for its outstanding operational performance in a diverse number of demanding roles.

The 1st Battalion The Green Howards was in Afghanistan from April with the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force.

In the Mazar-e-Sharif area, they were working as part of the UK Provincial Reconstruction Team, undertaking civil affairs - activities designed to help the Afghan Transitional Authority (ATA) to expand its influence in the provinces.

In the Kabul area, the team also worked with the ATA, helping to maintain security in the region, while support company was assisting with the training of the Afghan National Army.