A deadly stash of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has been destroyed by Kent-based troops in Afghanistan.

Soldiers with 1st Battalion the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (1PWRR), based in Canterbury, helped Afghan forces destroy the haul of IEDs, pressure plates, explosive material and remote detonators.

A controlled explosion was carried out in the desert, sending a plume of smoke and dust high into the air.

The haul, which weighed almost a tonne, was discovered as part of the Afghan-led Operation Zamestani Peerozi, or 'Winter Success', which involved around 280 British troops and 550 Afghan soldiers.

An Afghan policeman was killed by an IED during the operation, which cleared insurgents from an area in Nad-e Ali district before new checkpoints were built to improve security.

L Cpl Wayne Prince, of 1PWRR, which has helped train and mentor Afghan police, said: "I worked closely with officers on the ground and noticed straight away that they're a professional and capable unit, very eager to work for their country.

"This operation shows just how far the Afghan National Security Forces have come in terms of their ability to operate by themselves."

Lt Col James Coote, also of 1PWRR, added: "What we're seeing throughout Helmand is an improvement in the capability of the Afghan police in terms of their ability to plan and conduct operations, and also to deal with the biggest threat to the people and the Afghan security forces, the IED.

"In this instance we saw the police not only discover and remove the IED components and explosives, but also to neutralise them through a controlled explosion out in the desert."