The fathers of two soldiers killed in Afghanistan have shared their thoughts as the British military campaign there ends officially.

In the 13 year mission, 453 UK troops died and thousands more were left with serious injuries leading many to look back on what their sacrifices have actually achieved.

Among those who lost their lives was Rifleman Daniel Holkham, 19, from Warden Bay, who died in Afghanistan in March, 2010.

His father, Rodney Holkham, whose sons Matthew and Andrew also had tours in the country, set up The Dannyboy Trust in his memory to support local causes.

He said: “I’m hoping that some good has come from it. I hope we have left it a better place. I hope they keep control and move it on from where we left.

“It’s been at great cost to this country in respect of everything really, not only the ones that didn’t come back but there are a lot that have come back and their lives and the lives of their loved ones have changed forever.

“From my point of view, it’s been a mixed few years.

“It’s not been a waste of time. I don’t think we were ever going to stop the Taliban.”

“You will never know whether them being out there did stop terrorism in this country. You will never know those answers.”

Duane Ashworth, who owns The Beach pub in Southsea Avenue, Minster, said the campaign has been worthwhile.

His son L/Cpl James Ashworth was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his courageous actions, which ultimately claimed his life, in Helmand province.

Mr Ashworth said from speaking to his other son Coran, who works in intelligence the Army and also served in Afghanistan, there is a visible difference in the country.

He said: “They have work, education that they have never had before. They have got infrastructure, running water and roads rather than tracks.

“Will it remain stable? That’s another question.”

He added that operations in the country may have been a deterrent for terrorism in the UK.