Soldier killed in Iraq blast

A British soldier was killed when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Basra, southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The soldier, from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was taking part in a routine patrol in a Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle when it was targeted, the MoD said.

The soldier was seriously injured, and airlifted to the field hospital at Shaibah Logistics Base, but died later. There were no other casualties.

Next of kin have been informed.