Military police are investigating allegations of child abuse by two British soldiers in Afghanistan.

Two servicemen from the Mercian Battle Group have been arrested over claims that they abused two Afghan children aged about 10.

The Sun newspaper said the separate incidents were filmed and showed to colleagues on laptop computers.

The Ministry of Defence said it took such claims "seriously" and the Royal Military Police were investigating.

"We are aware that an allegation has been made concerning alleged inappropriate behaviour by two servicemen in Afghanistan," said a spokeswoman.

"The Royal Military Police (Special Investigations Branch) has launched an investigation into this. We take any such allegation extremely seriously."