Claire Perry MP and Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Defence, have recently returned from a short but intensive visit to Afghanistan.

Together they visited Kabul, the Afghan capital, and Helmand Province and had meetings with local politicians, diplomats, entrepreneurs, military leaders, British, American and Afghan troops on the ground both in Camp Bastion and in several remote bases.

Mrs Perry said: “The professionalism and commitment of our Armed Forces was as clear as ever, as was the progress being made by the Afghan Armed Forces in taking over their own military operations.

“More than 10,000 members of the Armed Forces live in my Constituency and it was particularly inspiring to meet so many Wiltshire based solders as well as the unofficial record holder for Devizes to Westminster canoe race.”