Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is ready to allow women to serve in front-line roles which would involve face-to-face combat.

In an interview published in the Times today he says: ''Women are already in front-line jobs in the armed forces, with artillery units, as fighter pilots and in warships, which means they are just as likely to be in a position to kill people in combat as men are.

''That would be the same if they had an infantry role.''

The rules banning women from infantry and direct combat roles are under review within the MoD. A decision is not expected until next year, but Mr Hoon made clear which way the argument was heading: ''My personal take on this issue is that the burden of proof is now on those who want to maintain the present position to show that there will be particular problems which would have an impact on operational effectiveness.''

The same test was applied before the ban on homosexuals in the armed forces was lifted by Mr Hoon earlier this year.

Mr Hoon also indicated that the size of the British force in Sierra Leone may have to be ''augmented'' to cope with the threat from rebel forces.