A group of Afghan civil servants have come to Worthing to learn how to rebuild their war-ravaged nation.

A total of 22 government officials from the post-Taliban regime are staying at the Crown Agents' international management training centre opposite Splash Point on the seafront.

The party features several women, including Momina Yari, a leading light in the ministry of women's affairs.

They were invited to England for five weeks following Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's visit to Afghanistan.

Their programme will consist of training sessions combined with study visits to show them working examples of British democracy at first hand, including the House of Commons, the Treasury, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Departments.

They will also visit West Sussex County Council and tomorrow will be guests of Worthing Mayor Eric Mardell in his town hall parlour.

At the end of their stay, the Afghans should have a clear understanding of how central and local government works in Britain and the management skills needed to rebuild the Afghan civil service.

They will also be improving their computer skills on a course run by Professor Ronald Barston.

Crown Agents has been active for almost a year in Afghanistan, providing services to the Afghan Assistance Co-ordination Authority and working on other projects.