UK soldier killed in Afghanistan

The soldier is 218th Briton to die since the mission to Afghanistan began

A British soldier has died following an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The soldier served with 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, the MoD added. Next of kin have been informed.

The MoD said he was was caught in the blast while on a vehicle patrol in the Musa Qal'eh district in northern Helmand Province, on Sunday morning.

The latest fatality takes the UK armed forces death toll in Afghanistan since combat operations began in 2001 to 218.

Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Col Nick Richardson said the loss of "this brave soldier" from would be mourned by his friends and colleagues.

Col Richardson added: "We know that our loss is nothing compared to the sorrow of his family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathies."