MAIDSTONE soldiers are on a five-day stand-by for action in Afghanistan. The Sappers from 36 Engineer Regiment at Invicta Park, await a decision from the Government over plans to increase the peace-keeping deployment now fulfilled mostly by special forces.

The Sappers' stand-by has been scaled down over the last three weeks with the success of the campaign against the Taliban. Last month, 700 Maidstone troops were on almost immediate stand-by for action to help repel the Taliban and establish order in the country.

But now the urgency has declined with plans in place to set up a coalition government aimed at putting a conclusive end to 23 years of civil war. The Sappers could yet be needed for essential programmes to help rebuild the country - establishing power supplies, rebuilding bridges and helping to clear mines and other ordnance.

Captain Steve Davies, adjutant of 36 Engineer Regiment, said: "We have quite a large section of the regiment ready and able to deploy."