A DUKE of Lancaster’s soldier was killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan today, the Ministry of Defence said.

The serviceman, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died while on a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province this morning.

His family have been informed.

Lieutenant Colonel David Eastman, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "The soldier was carrying out a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj area of the province, providing a reassuring presence to the local population seeking to go about their daily lives in peace, when he was hit by an explosion.

"He gave his life protecting the people of the United Kingdom and Afghanistan - no more could be asked of any man.

"He will be sorely missed."

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment recruits exclusively from Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and the Isle of Man.

A total of 340 UK troops have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.