28 December 2010 Last updated at 15:35 ET

UK soldier killed in bomb explosion in Afghanistan

There are about 9,500 UK troops in Afghanistan, with the majority deployed in the south

A soldier serving with the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The soldier, from 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, was killed in an explosion on Tuesday.

A bomb exploded as he was conducting the clearance of a road in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand Province.

Next of kin have been informed. Some 348 British troops have been killed in operations in Afghanistan since 2001.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col David Eastman, said: "As a member of the Counter-IED Task Force he was at the very forefront of the fight against terrorism, and gave his all to make a better, more secure life for the people of Afghanistan and our own nation.

"His loss will be felt deeply by all who knew him, and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this sad time."

The previous British fatality was Cpl Steven Dunn, 27, from Gateshead, of 216 Parachute Signal Squadron, Royal Corps of Signals, who died from injuries sustained in a bomb blast on 21 December.

There are about 9,500 UK troops in Afghanistan, with the majority deployed in the south of the country.