The Army has defended its decision to house soldiers returning from Afghanistan in a row of cabins at Colchester's Garrison.

The 100 members of 2 Para came back from a two-month peacekeeping mission in Kabul and moved into the temporary buildings while the accommodation they will eventually live in is being improved.

An Army spokesman yesterday rejected criticism that the move was a "slap in the face" for the troops, who came under fire in the war-torn Afghan city.

He said they would have known about the plans before flying out and that it made sense to start the work while the paratroopers were away as it meant two months less disturbance for them.

The spokesman added the soldiers would be able to move out of the huts into "upgraded, higher quality" accommodation "in months".

However, he said, he could not say exactly how long the work will take.

And he said the cabins currently being used are not "substandard and unacceptable", although he admitted they were not to the standard that soldiers at the Garrison would usually live in.

Asked about fears raised over the fire safety of the cabins, he said: "All accommodation used in the public sector is subject to regular inspection by fire inspectors.

"All of these, I'm sure, have been looked at."

Published Monday, March 18, 2002