THE first British troops sent to Kosovo after renewed violence between Albanians and Serbs have arrived after flying from bases near Swindon.

About 100 soldiers from the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment landed at the Kosovan capital Pristina on Thursday evening.

More troops are due to arrive today and tomorrow, flying from RAF Lyneham near Swindon and RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire.

A total of 750 troops will be deployed to help quell the worst ethnic violence in Kosovo since the end of the 1999 war, which has left more than 20 dead.

They are the land element of the UK Ready Battalion, designated to deploy at short notice.

The troops were deployed via the Air Mounting Centre at the Duke of Gloucester Barracks, at South Cerney, near Cirencester.

Brigadier Martin Vine said the troops were being sent in order to suppress continued violence and reassure the people.

He said: "This is a battalion with huge experience in the area.

"They have spent time in Northern Ireland and were in Kosovo last time, so they know the area."

Though he could not confirm how long the troops would be needed in Kosovo, the deployment is for up to six months.

The latest violence broke out on Wednesday.

Albanians in the ethnically divided city of Kosovska Mitrovica went on a rampage after blaming local Serbians when two children drowned.

The clashes have since spread across the whole province.

They have so far left 22 dead and hundreds injured, including dozens of UN police and Nato troops.