British soldier killed in Helmand blast

A British soldier was killed in an explosion yesterday near Sangin in central Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said today. Next of kin have been informed.

The soldier was serving with the Royal Logistics Corps when he was killed.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield OBE, said: "It is with great sadness I confirm that a soldier from the Royal Logistic Corps died in an explosion in Helmand Province. He will be missed by us, his comrades, but he will not be forgotten."

The soldier's death takes the number of British service personnel who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 to 224.