And while that may be the case for some parts of the war-torn country, other areas are similar to home –– with expansive lush, green fields for as far as the eye can see.

This has been the experience so far for troops from Mansfield and Ashfield, who are among hundreds of servicemen and women from the 2 Rifles Battalion who are currently on the frontline fighting the Taliban.

Twenty-one-year-old Rainworth Rifleman John 'Nips' Elliott is serving in Sangin and he says he was surprised in the change of conditions and landscape."You literally step out of the base, which is very sandy and desert like –– exactly what you imagine Afghanistan to be like –– and then you hit the green zone which is just like the countryside in England," said the former Joseph Whitaker School student.

"It's very surreal. But we're getting used to it and everyone is confident patrolling in the green zone as we've all practiced it so much in training.

"The patrols are long and are a lot of hard work, but it is great being out here helping the local Afghans and you feel like you're really making a difference."

Soldiers from 2 Rifles are currently serving a six-month tour of Afghanistan, where they will be helping to suppress the Taliban and providing security and assistance to local people.

Troops from the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment are also serving in the country.