A VETERAN and armed forces champion and Worcester's MP have both said they reject the view soldiers, including ones from the county, lost their lives in vain while touring Afghanistan.

On Sunday the Taliban swept into Kabul, the country's capital, with Afghanistan now effectively controlled by the Islamist group.

A humanitarian crisis is now underway as thousands of people packed into the Afghan capital’s airport on Monday, trying to flee.

Among those from the county who died in Afghanistan were Private Jason Williams.

Pte Williams died in an explosion in Helmand province while trying to retrieve the body of a fallen Afghan comrade on August 8, 2009.

The 23-year-old, who was destined to become a senior soldier, was serving with the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) at the time.

Councillor Chris Mitchell, who is Worcester City Council’s Armed Forces Champion and represents the council at the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said: "Soldiers who were sent to Afghanistan were probably not thinking of the political situation, they were there to do a job and look after their mates.

"But I am pretty sure there will be a lot of veterans who are sat there now going 'was it worth it?' - particularly those who lost comrades."

Asked if he felt the lives lost in Afghanistan were now in vain said: "I wouldn't go as far as to say that because there is a generation, particularly of women and young people, who have had an opportunity to be educated to get a better life.

"It might be taken away from them now, that is where the disappointment is.

Robin Walker, Worcester's MP, described the situation as "desperate" saying: "It is right we are prioritising getting British citizens out, and those people who served with our forces and interpreters.

"It is incredibly sad it has come to this, this is not the outcome anybody wanted.

"When we withdrew (British forces) it was still hopeful the United States would be able to hand over to a democratically elected government.

"There is a generation of Afghans who have seen there is a different alternative available and over time it may be that belief in civic society and education can reassert itself, so we can't say lives were lost in vain."

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, added: “Our absolute focus must be on ensuring UK citizens are able to return home safely.

"It’s the women, girls and elected parliamentarians who are foremost in my mind as we see two decades of progress disappear before our very eyes.

“No one wants the country to again become a breeding ground for terrorism and it is essential that the international community works together to address the humanitarian emergency."