NORTH West soldiers returned home from Afghanistan to a hero’s welcome today, but were devastated to learn on the parade ground that a comrade had been killed.

The 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment soldier was hit by an explosion while on patrol in the Helmand province this morning.

Hours later 88 troops from the 1st Battalion (1Lancs) arrived at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, after completing a six-month tour of duty.

Relieved families greeted the return with tears of joy, but the soldiers and their loved ones then learned about the latest death.

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Frazer Lawrence said the death of the soldier was a tragedy.

He said: "It is an awful loss.

"My thoughts are with the family and I pay my respects to them.

"We have been travelling for the last two days so we hadn't heard the news.

"Afghanistan is a dangerous place to be. There are tragic consequences."

On the soldiers returning home safely, he said: "I am incredibly proud of them.

"I am pleased to see so much support here today."

1Lancs had spent six months working on the frontline in Afghanistan.

2Lancs is based in Cyprus, and its soldiers are deployed to Afghanistan when required to assist troops.

The soldier killed today was on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj area of the province with the Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Next of kin had been informed, the MoD said.

Paying tribute, Lieutenant Colonel David Eastman, from Task Force Helmand, said: “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.”

1Lancs had lost three soldiers during their sixth-month tour, including 25-year-old Jordan Bancroft, of Earby, who was shot by insurgents in August.

Around 100 1Lancs troops had arrived home last Sunday, as well as the 88 who arrived back today.

More of the battalion will arrive home in the near future.

At Catterick today, 200 family, aged from babies to pensioners, gathered.

The first sight of their loved ones came during a parade. A loud cheer greeted their arrival.

After marching for two minutes, the soldiers stopped and turned to face the crowds.

Then, in a moment of raw emotion, family then ran towards the soldiers to embrace loved ones. There were tears and laughter.

However the joy was dampended as news filtered through of the death.

Stephanie King, 28, of Blackburn, welcomed home her husband Private Ryan King, 27, with their three-year-old daughter Ebony.

She said: "It was amazing. I was just screaming when I saw him. It was worth all the waiting."

Pte King had a lucky escape in Afghanistan after his Mastiff armoured vehicle drove over an bomb.

Mrs King said: "It is heart wrenching when you hear other families have lost loved ones, especially in Afghanistan."

Pte King said: "It is fantastic to see my wife and my little on, but I have to send my condolances to families who have lost loved ones and the family of the soldier has been killed."

Parents Angela Walsh, 47, of Darwen and husband Peter, 49, along with grandmother Nellie met Lance Coporal Craig Walsh.

Mrs Walsh said: "It is one of the best feelings I have ever had when I saw him.

"I do feel for those who aren't coming back.

"You can't imagine what they are going through."

L/Cpl Walsh had undergone two operations in Afghanistan after being shot but stayed out with his comrades.

He said: "It is sad another soldier has been killed but they are doing the job they love to do. However, I am in no rush to go back."

Linda Lofthouse, 60, of Clitheroe, came to pick up her son Kingsman Brent Lofthouse, 24. She said: "It is emotional. I am glad to have him home and safe."