Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty, both from 8 Platoon of C (Bruneval) Company, 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, were on a routine foot patrol near their base in the Upper Gereshk Valley, Helmand Province, when they came under Taliban fire.

Their deaths mean five soldiers from 2 Para, based in Colchester, Essex, have died in Afghanistan this week, while the total number of British service personnel killed in the country since the start of operations in November 2001 has risen to 102.

Pte Doherty was born in Coventry and lived at the family home in Southam, Warwickshire. He celebrated his 20th birthday on Tuesday.

Pte Doherty joined the Parachute Regiment in March 2006 and his deployment to Afghanistan was his first operational tour. He was described as exceptionally fit and strong with an infectious sense of humour.

His family, including a younger brother and three sisters, said in a statement: "JJ was such a wonderful son. He was the light of our lives and we all loved him. He was a hero to his brother and sisters and they loved him dearly."

Lance Corporal James 'Jay' Bateman, 29, grew up in Staines, Middlesex, and was a fervent West Ham supporter. He lived in Colchester with his wife Victoria after the couple were married in Salisbury Cathedral last year.

Lance Corporal Bateman joined the Parachute Regiment in 2001 and had previously served in Northern Ireland and Iraq.

His wife said in a statement: "I would like to firstly thank everybody for their ongoing support. Secondly, I would like you all to know how immensely proud we are of him and all that he has achieved.

"I know how he loved the Parachute Regiment and I draw comfort from the fact that he died doing the job he loved, for the country he loved, with the friends he loved."