Charity Nowzad has asserted that it acted correctly after being contacted by the Charity Commission

A former Marine's mission to bring rescue animals back to the UK as the Taliban took over Afghanistan is being examined by the Charity Commission.

The regulator has told the BBC it is looking into the funding arrangements of Operation Ark, which raised more than £200,000 from supporters in days.

Operation Ark was launched by Pen Farthing's charity Nowzad to evacuate staff members and their immediate families, plus the animals in its care.

The charity says it acted correctly and a statement said: "The trustees are wholly confident that Nowzad's life-saving work in incredibly difficult circumstances was both the right and only thing to do and was absolutely in furtherance of the charity's purpose."

The Charity Commission has contacted Nowzad for further information after receiving reports around the governance and financial arrangements of Operation Ark.

It is examining the use of charity funds for the evacuation and whether it is in line with the charity's purpose.

Nowzad operated an animal clinic, dog and cat shelter and donkey sanctuary in Afghanistan. It trained and employed local Afghans - including women - as vets.

As the Taliban takeover progressed last month it said its staff were in danger due to their work with foreign organisations, such as embassies, and "the animals were at risk because the Taliban considers companion animals, particularly dogs, unclean."

"We will assess the information provided by the trustees to determine whether or not there is a role for the Commission," it said in a statement provided to the BBC.