21 March 2012 Last updated at 14:14 ET

Afghanistan: British soldier killed in explosion

The number of UK military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 405

A soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.

The incident happened on Wednesday in the Mirmandab region of Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province.

The soldier was from 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, Worcesters and Foresters, and was serving with the Brigade Advisory Group, the MoD said.

His family has been informed. It brings the number of UK military deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 to 405.

The soldier was working alongside an Afghan security force patrol aimed at "disrupting insurgent activity" when he was hit by an explosion from an improvised explosive device, the MoD said.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Mackenzie, said: "The thoughts and condolences of everyone serving in the Task Force are with his family and friends."

It follows the deaths of six soldiers who died earlier this month when their vehicle was hit by an explosion.

That was the biggest single loss of UK life at one time in Afghanistan since a Nimrod crash killed 14 in 2006.