Hundreds of British soldiers have launched an operation against Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Operation Tor Shezada began early on Friday morning in Helmand province in the south of the country.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment are trying to clear the Taliban from an important stronghold in the Nad Ali district.

The Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) was among the first wave of troops.

UK troops in Afghanistan

• Military deaths in Afghanistan
• UK fatalities in Afghanistan and Iraq
• Medals won in Afghanistan and Iraq
• Afghan army key to Nato withdrawal

Under cover of darkness, this small elite unit launched an airborne assault deep into insurgent-held territory.

Operation Tor Shezada, which means black prince, is a mission to seize a Taliban-controlled town in central Helmand and try to restore government rule.

Hundreds of British and Afghan forces are moving by land and air towards the town of Saidabad.

With two years to go until the London Olympics, organisers have been showing off some of the state-of-the art facilities. But the 2012 Games won't include many sports that were commonplace in some of the previous 26 Olympics, as charted here.

Tug of war, croquet and cricket - they sound like activities suited to a village fete. But in the past they have all featured as Olympic sports. A quick glance down the page reveals athletics as the mainstay of the games, alongside swimming, fencing and gymnastics.

In total nine sports have made just one appearance, BMX cycling is due to make its second in 2012, and others including tennis and basketball have bounced in, out and back into the Games.