British troops deployed on peace keeping duties in Afghanistan for the past four months have returned home.

A 120-strong contingent of the first battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, touched down at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on Tuesday

The soldiers, based in Pirbright, Surrey, were deployed in March to replace the parachute regiment, as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The battalion's tour of duty involved up to eight patrols a day to maintain security as part of the interim authority that was put in to replace the Taliban in governing the country.

I've been involved with looking after the numerous prisoners of war and it's been hard and stressful

Lance Corporal Natasha McLellan

Up to 300 more troops are expected to fly home in the next few days.

A spokesman for the regiment said the troops helped train Afghan soldiers, while also being involved in community restoration projects.

Members of the regiment, nicknamed the Vikings, were met at the RAF base by the minister for the armed forces, Adam Ingram.

The regiment lost one member, Lance Corporal Darren George, 23, from Essex, during a "friendly fire" incident while on patrol.

Children born

The army has launched an investigation into the shooting.

During the tour by the 550 men and women, 16 wives and partners gave birth to 16 children and many of the returning troops carried pictures of their newborn children with them.

Following a week at their base the troops are to be given five weeks' annual leave.

Lance Corporal Natasha McLellan, 27, from Aldershot said: "It's great to be home. It's been very hot and humid out there and within 20 minutes of getting up in the morning you'd be sweating and soaked through.

'Outstanding tour'

"I've been involved with looking after the numerous prisoners of war and it's been hard and stressful.

"It's a great shame that England are no longer in the World Cup as the football kept everybody going and it was something everyone looked forward to and created a fantastic atmosphere in Afghanistan."

Major Alex Beart, the officer in charge of C company, first battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, said: "It's been an outstanding tour and hugely successful.

"When we arrived in Kabul it was very unstable and there was a very serious threat from armed criminals and terrorists.

"We have left it in a much safer state."