London  - Britain is to send more troops to Afghanistan, increasing its presence in the country to its highest level so far, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday.

Speaking at a joint news conference in London with US President George W Bush, Brown said security was on its way to being "transformed" in Afghanistan.

He said Britain and the US were working "side by side" both in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Defence Secretary Des Browne was expected to announce later Monday that Britain will send 230 engineers, logistical staff and military training experts to Afghanistan, where around 7,800 British troops are currently based. (dpa)