New military ration packs for use in harsh climate conditions are to undergo winter trials in Afghanistan.

The British Army has issued a total of 450,000 all-season army ration packs to front-line troops that will be fighting in temperatures between -5°C and 15°C.

The new ration packs are set for winter trials following successful 24-hour summer trials of the multiclimate rations (MCR), in which over 750,000 boxes were tested by deployed troops working in hot weather.

The army has also assembled chefs from across the armed forces to participate in the Combined Services Culinary Challenge (CSCC), a three-day competition to provide the best-possible food for troops.