A British soldier was killed by a blast in southern Afghanistan today, the Ministry of Defence said.

The serviceman, from the 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, died in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province.

His family have been informed.

Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, paid tribute to the soldier's sacrifice.

He said: ''He was involved in an operation that was seeking to improve freedom of movement for ordinary Afghans when tragically he was killed in an explosion.

''He will be sorely missed by us all but his courage in the face of danger will not be forgotten.''

The British death toll since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 now stands at 294.