TV stars Ant and Dec came under fire while visiting Afghanistan to present a bravery award to troops.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were waiting to catch a military flight when the Taliban shelled Kandahar airport.

The duo had gone to Camp Bastion in Helmand province to present a Pride of Britain Award to the Medical Emergency Response Team (Mert), who rescue injured colleagues from the front line.

Describing the rocket attack, Ant, 32, said: "It was pretty hairy - not something I'd like to experience again. All the guys around us were pulling on body armour.

"We couldn't believe how close we were to being hit. It shows what our troops go through every day."

Dec, 33, said: "One minute everything was calm and the next the sirens were wailing."

Ant and Dec watched the Mert in action as a unit of doctors, nurses and paramedics boarded a helicopter and flew to the aid of troops who had been wounded in a Taliban ambush.

Ant said: "It's terrifying to think a load of British soldiers are injured a few miles from where we are now."

Dec said: "It's been an absolute privilege. We came because we were asked to give an award and we wanted to do it in person.

"After today we know there's no award that's big enough for what they go through. But we hope that the Pride of Britain award gives them at least some recognition."

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