Tory leader David Cameron is visiting British troops in Afghanistan and heard claims they are getting a raw deal over their leave.

Mr Cameron called for rest periods to start when troops arrive home rather than when they depart operations.

He spoke out after chatting with soldiers over breakfast at the British Lashkar Gah base in volatile Helmand province.

They told him that flights back from Afghanistan can be delayed for days before reaching the UK.

Lieutenant Colonel Joe O'Sullivan said when leave started was "an issue".

"Some of the soldiers have ended up going home via Iraq, which was quite ironic for them," he said.

Mr Cameron - visiting the troubled country for the third time since taking charge of the Conservative Party - said the situation was unfair.

"They should be able to predict how long their leave is going to be rather than having to spend it on an aeroplane and on air bases a long way from home," he said.

Mr Cameron has previously accused the Government of "breaking the military covenant" by letting troops down on equipment, healthcare, family support and accommodation.

A Conservative Party commission led by Falklands hero Simon Weston and author Frederick Forsyth raised the issue of "lost leave" in June, and their proposals have now been endorsed.

Earlier Mr Cameron and shadow foreign secretary William Hague had breakfast in the base's mess hall.

The Tory leader discussed conditions for soldiers and the situation on the ground with Captain Julian Mitchell, a member of 42 Engineer Regiment from Pembroke in west Wales, and Captain Andrew Rodgers, a member of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders from Oxford.

Mr Cameron said there had been "progress" in Afghanistan, but there were still concerns such as a shortage of helicopters and the unwillingness of some Nato countries to play their full part in operations.

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