Royal Marine dies in Afghan blast

The blast took place north of the town of Sangin, in Helmand province, where the marine's battle group had been on patrol, the Ministry of Defence said.

Another marine was injured but was described as "walking wounded". Both were from 40 Commando Royal Marines. Next of kin have been informed.

The death takes British military fatalities in Afghanistan to 89 since operations started in November 2001.

Rocket attack

The MoD said the killed marine had been pronounced dead at the scene.

The marines were taking part in a patrol aimed at disrupting the activities of the Taleban at the time of the attack.

The 40 Commando Royal Marines are halfway through a six-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, members of the same regiment helped save the lives of two Afghan children who were injured in a rocket attack by enemy insurgents.

The marine's death comes at a time of increasing tensions over the Nato mission in Afghanistan.

Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer is due to begin talks with Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai in Kabul later.

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