A BRITISH soldier from 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldier was part of a patrol to disrupt insurgent activity in the south of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand Province, when he was killed by small arms fire.

His next of kin have been informed.

The MoD said the loss would be felt by all officers serving in Helmand.

Lieutenant Colonel John Kerner, spokesman for British Forces Helmand, said: "It is my sad duty to inform you that a soldier from 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment has been killed whilst on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

"His loss will be felt by everyone across Task Force Helmand and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

The soldier becomes the 417th member of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.

The death came on the same day a British soldier from 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh, who was killed in Afghanistan on Friday, was named by the Ministry of Defence as Corporal Michael John Thacker.