That paragon of British Journalism, the Sun, has an article with the classy title of "Talibum Alert!" about hunky British marines being chased by men wearing makeup and perfume in the mountain villages of Afghanistan.

Marine James Fletcher, 24, of Arbroath, Scotland, said: “They were more terrifying than the enemy. They go about hand in hand, mincing round the village.

“We were pretty shocked. The Afghan soldiers with us said a lot of men in this country have the same philosophy as Ancient Greeks: ‘A woman for babies, a man for pleasure’.”

Pal Gaz Pickles, 23, from Scarborough, North Yorks, said: “I think one problem is that they don’t have women around. They are hidden up in the hills.”

The commandos came under close scrutiny from the pink parade during a mission in South Eastern Afghanistan.

They were told by Afghan soldiers that some villagers had never seen a western man before — and thought the muscle-bound marines were very hunky.