Britain may pull out of Afghanistan by 2013

British troops may be pulled out of Afghanistan in 2013, a year earlier than scheduled, according to a plan being studied by Prime Minister David Cameron.

This "surprise option" has been laid out by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, The Sun reported Wednesday.

Cameron Tuesday chaired a National Security Council meeting to look at ways for Britain to end its stay in the conflict-hit country.

Under the new option, up to 7,000 military personnel would start coming home by 2013, with as few as 2,000 staying for a supervisory role during 2014.

Despite protests from top defence officials, Cameron is "adamant" that only a few hundred British combat troops must be left in Afghanistan by 2015. At present, there are 9,500.

Hammond said the plan would "save a fortune" for the ministry of defence.

However, defence chiefs fear that pulling out before the country's own forces are ready to take control would deliver the province back to the Taliban.

A final decision on withdrawal will be made in March, once US President Barack Obama outlines America's pullout plans.