A team of nearly 30 UK troops has departed for Southern Europe to begin a year-long deployment to support Nato’s Kosovo Force (KFOR).

The team has been deployed following a request from Nato for further support to KFOR by allies. The UK troops will extend support to help maintain safety and security in the region.

UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “This deployment of troops demonstrates how we remain committed to supporting security and stability in the Western Balkans region.

“Nato remains a cornerstone of our defence and by defending the security of Europe we strengthen our security at home.

"This deployment of troops demonstrates how we remain committed to supporting security and stability in the Western Balkans region."

“This deployment follows support the UK provided in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015 to the EU Force (EUFOR).”

The British forces will be based at the force's headquarters in Pristina and will help carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

KFOR, which started as a peacekeeping force in the late 1990s, now has around 4,200 troops, acting as one of the main security providers in Kosovo.

Troops are provided by 30 countries, including Germany, Italy, Turkey, Poland and the US.

With more than 3,000 military personnel deployed on operations across the globe, the UK continues to meet Nato’s target of spending 2% of GDP on defence, backed by a budget that will increase every year.