David Blunkett has welcomed help from the Afghan authorities on the return of failed asylum seekers.

Speaking after a meeting with President Hamid Karzai, the home secretary said the UK would continue to remove those whose applications for asylum were without merit.

Describing their talks as "useful and constructive", Blunkett said the Afghan government had been cooperating with immigration authorities.

"Afghanistan has made significant progress since the fall of the Taliban and the UK is committed to the continued reconstruction of Afghanistan," he said.

"We want people to return - preferably voluntarily - so that they can contribute to the rebuilding of their country.

"The assistance we provide to returnees is designed to ensure they are equipped to make such a contribution and to aid their re-integration."

To date there have been two controversial enforced returns flights of Afghan asylum seekers, but Blunkett said that the UK would aim to "work closely with the Afghan government to make sure that those who are returned are properly received back into society".

The meeting is the latest stage in the president's three-day visit to Britain, which began on Wednesday.