British soldiers could be carrying out a humanitarian role in Afghanistan "within days", Clare Short has said.

Speaking to journalists in Downing Street on Thursday, the international development secretary also announced that six aid experts would arrive in Mazar-i-Sharif over the weekend, with a larger deployment of troops following shortly afterwards.

"We need troops on the ground, both bringing order and bringing reassurance to the Afghan people who are haunted by what happened when the Soviets withdrew," said Short.

However, she warned against rushing to deploy the ground forces. "Speed is of the essence but you have to do things properly and you can't risk your troops".

Short also stressed that aid would continue to be delivered to those areas still occupied by the Taliban regime, saying: "Humanitarian aid has to be to everyone in need. We deliver wherever humanly possible. The UN has been doing that and will go on doing that".

The development secretary also announced the allocation of a further £12million from the £40million previously set aside for the region. The extra funds include £3million for both the World Food Programme and Unicef, £1million for the World Health Organisation and £2million for emergency mines action.

Short's announcement came as the United Nations prepared to send a team of senior officials to the Afghan capital, Kabul. Their mission is expected to focus on both humanitarian and political developments.