Oxford book firm Blackwell's is restocking libraries in Afghanistan.

The company has donated a shipment of literary and medical texts to restock the libraries of two universities.

During the oppressive Taliban regime, hundreds of books in the universities of Kabul and Herat were burned and destroyed.

To replenish the libraries' stock, new books have been provided by Blackwell's and delivered free by DHL.

Chief executive Philip Blackwell said: "The opportunity to begin the important task of restocking university libraries in Afghanistan's key centres of learning is a great privilege."

Ther firm is also helping Matthew Leeming write the first travel guide to the country since the 1970s. He will oversee the handover of the books.