A soldier from A Company 4 Rifles has died following an explosion while on foot patrol near Sangin in central Helmand province in Afghanistan. The soldier, who has not been named, was serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group. His next of kin have been told. Lt Col David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, paid tribute to the soldier's sacrifice.

The soldier's death brings the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 250 since 2001. Col Wakefield said: "He was on a foot patrol, part of a larger operation to provide security for the local population in Sangin, when the explosion happened. "His courage and the sacrifice he has made will not be forgotten."