Part-time SAS man dies in action

L/Cpl Larkin was a part-time SAS soldier

Tributes have been paid to a Worcestershire nurse who served part-time in an SAS regiment.

L/Cpl Richard Larkin, 39, from Cookley, near Kidderminster, died while serving with 23 SAS Regiment.

The Territorial Army soldier was one of four soldiers killed in an explosion near Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Defence said L/Cpl Larkin "was a beloved husband, father, son and brother".

'Deeply saddened'

The statement added his "tragic and untimely death will be deeply mourned by his family, friends and colleagues".

Cpl Sarah Bryant, the first British female soldier killed in Afghanistan, Cpl Sean Robert Reeve and L/Cpl Paul Stout were also killed.

The soldiers, who were manning a vehicle checkpoint, were killed after their vehicle hit a mine.

L/Cpl Larkin worked as a night charge-nurse at Evesham Community Hospital, Worcestershire NHS Primary Care Trust said.

His role was running the Minor Injuries Unit and the rest of the hospital overnight.

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Lance Corporal Richard Larkin was killed along with three colleagues

Sue Baker, matron at Evesham Community Hospital, said: "We were all deeply saddened to hear of Richard's death.

"He was a highly skilled and knowledgeable nurse who was dedicated to patient-centred care and supporting his colleagues.

"He will be fondly remembered for his professionalism, his style and wit."

He had worked at the hospital for four years, after joining in June 2004 as an emergency nurse practitioner, the trust added.

Tony Higley, from Cookley post office, said: "It's just so sad - a young lad, two young boys, just had a baby girl. All our condolences go to his wife and his family."