Mali Islamists take town of Diabaly

French warplanes have been in action over the west African state of Mali in an attempt to halt Islamist rebels who took control of northern Mali last year from advancing further.

But Islamist fighters have seized the town of Diabaly, 400km (250 miles) from the capital, Bamako, in a counter-attack.

Meanwhile the UK has said it will support the French military intervention, but Prime Minister David Cameron said there would be no "army boots" on the ground.

Mark Doyle reports from Bamako.