New brigade takes charge in Helmand

A new brigade of British troops is in charge in Afghanistan's Helmand province, it was announced today.

The 16 Air Assault Brigade will start working towards handing over its duties to Afghan forces during 2011 after taking over from 4th Mechanised Brigade, which has spent the last six months trying to improve governance and security in the region.

Following a handover meal, the governor of Helmand province Gulab Mangal paid tribute to the British soldiers who had been killed in recent operations.

He said: "I am deeply saddened when I hear of the loss of soldiers and I share the pain of families who have lost their beloved ones."