BOURNEMOUTH East MP Tobias Ellwood has joined the chorus of criticism over the government's treatment of British troops in Afghanistan.

He said more combat troops are desperately needed and that the soldiers need more protection.

Mr Ellwood was speaking as it emerged a sixth soldier has died in just over three weeks in southern Afghanistan.

"Sandbags will not protect our troops but Warrior tanks will," he said. "If we make the honourable decision to send troops to Afghanistan it is completely dishonourable of the government to send them ill-equipped.

"We must adapt to the new circumstances in which we find ourselves and answer the call for more resources. To ignore this plea is a failure of duty."

Mr Ellwood has just returned from a trip to the country at the invitation of General James Jones, Nato's most senior general.

He said the visit highlighted concerns about the safety of British troops and the lack of co-ordination between international development organisations.

"The British government needs to reconsider its strategy and improve its commitment to Afghanistan," Mr Ellwood said. "It must commit more resources to strengthen the fragile umbrella of security that we are trying to create and improve the reconstruction efforts that should be taking place at the same time.

"If we fail, peace will not prevail long enough for life-changing, long-term reconstruction to take place."

A British paratrooper died when his patrol came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles on Wednesday in the town of Sangin in Helmand province.