SOLDIER DIES IN AFGHANISTAN BLAST

The serviceman, from 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, was killed while on a routine patrol near Kajaki in Helmand province on Saturday.

He is the second soldier from the regiment to die in Afghanistan within the last 48 hours.

It brings the number of British service personnel killed in the country since operations began in October 2001 to 120.

Lieutenant Colonel David Reynolds, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said of the latest casualty: "The life of a British paratrooper can never be replaced, but it can be immortalised.

"His participation in this tour of Helmand will be remembered in regimental history as a tribute to his courage and as an honour to his family."

Next-of-kin have been informed.

The latest incident comes after the death of Private Jason Lee Rawstron, also from 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, on Friday.

The 23-year-old, from Clayton-Le-Moors, Lancashire, was killed during a firefight with Taliban forces in Helmand Province.

On Saturday his mother Mandy described Pte Rawstron as "a perfect son" and a "role model".