Image copyright Reuters Image caption A number of British trainers are in Iraq already

The UK is to send nearly 60 extra Army personnel to Iraq to support the fight against self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militants, it has been announced.

Prime Minister David Cameron authorised the decision to send the team to help deliver training for Kurdish forces fighting IS, also known as Isil.

More than 1,000 Kurdish troops have already been trained by UK personnel.

The latest deployment will focus on the counter-IED training programme organised by the coalition fighting IS.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "This counter-IED training will give Iraqi forces a vital capability in taking the fight to Isil and is another example of our commitment to the campaign against Isil.

"Along with our airstrikes, Britain is making a major contribution to training Iraqi forces to help them defend their country.

"It will take time but the coalition airstrikes are having a direct impact in supporting Iraqi ground operations to retake areas and push back Isil."