Four British soldiers injured

Four British soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan serving alongside US forces.

They have been returned to the UK for treatment. One was seriously injured but is in a stable condition, said the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon.

He said the injuries were not involved with fighting at the fortress near Mazar-i-Sharif.

The announcement came Mr Hoon confirmed that the majority of British troops on standby for Afghanistan have had their notice to move relaxed from 48 hours to one week.

Mr Hoon said the decision had been taken in the light of developments in Afghanistan and was a "measured response" which would offer the maximum flexibility to respond to further developments.

"Given the more encouraging position on the ground I have today decided to relax the notice to move for the bulk of these forces," he told MPs.

The troops who were on 48-hour standby are members of 42 Royal Marines Commando and the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

They had their notice to move reduced from five days after the rapid fall of the Afghan capital.

"Leading elements of Two Para and 16 Air Assault brigade and key enablers will remain at 48 hours notice to move. The remainder of these forces will revert to their previous still high readiness state and will be able to move within one week," said Mr Hoon.

British special forces have been operating in Afghanistan for several weeks.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw confirmed last week that they were involved in the hunt for terror suspect Osama bin Laden.

Around 100 Royal Marine Commandos - including members of the elite Special Boat Service - were also sent to Bagram airport near Kabul after the Taliban were routed from the city.

They were expected to be joined later by hundreds more to form a 'stabilisation' force.

But today's decision to relax standby notice for those British troops earmarked for the mission may mean that they are withdrawn, according to unconfirmed reports at the weekend.

Kabul's Northern Alliance captors expressed concerns about the presence of the British troops at Bagram.

American defence officials have confirmed that US Marines have landed near the Taliban heartland of Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan in the fight against the Taliban.

Waves of helicopters and transport planes dropped the Marines to the south west of the city where they were to be joined over the next few days by hundreds more from Navy ships in the Arabian sea, the senior official said. Commons Leader Robin Cook said yesterday that regular British troops will not be sent to fight the Taliban.