IT is understood that a soldier from Hereford has been killed in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence have not named him yet, but said that he was a member of 3rd Battalion The Rifles.

However, the Hereford Times understands that he is a 21-year-old who lived in the city.

The MoD said that the soldier died yesterday morning from wounds received as a result of an explosion near Sangin in Helmand Province.

Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It happened in the 'Green Zone' area to the south of Sangin District Centre, an area where until recently insurgents had held sway.

"He was on a foot patrol as part of the operations that have been bringing security to the local population in that area.

"We have lost one of our comrades and we will remember him."

The soldier's next of kin have been informed.