A ROYAL Marine has died in hospital in the UK eight days after being wounded in Afghanistan, taking the British death toll in the conflict to 300, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The serviceman, from 40 Commando, was injured in a blast in the Sangin area of Helmand Province on June 12.

He died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham yesterday morning with his family at his side.

Major Renny Bulmer, spokesman for 40 Commando, based in Taunton, Somerset, said: ``Our thoughts are with his immediate family who were with him at the hospital.

"His courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten. We will remember him."

He was the seventh member of 40 Commando to die since the Royal Marines took over command of the notoriously volatile Sangin area from 3rd Battalion The Rifles in April.

Prime Minister David Cameron led tributes to the sacrifices made by the 300 British servicemen and women who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.

He said: "It is desperately sad news. Another family with such grief and pain and loss.

"Of course the 300th death is no more or less tragic than the 299 that came before.

"But it is a moment, I think, for the whole country to reflect on the incredible service and sacrifice and dedication that our armed services give on our behalf.

"We are paying a high price for keeping our country safe, for making our world a safer place, and we should keep asking why we are there and how long we must be there.

"The truth is that we are there because the Afghans are not yet ready to keep their own country safe and to keep terrorists and terrorist training camps out of their country. That’s why we have to be there.

"But as soon as they are able to take care and take security for their own country, that is when we can leave."

The UK currently has about 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, of whom 8,000 are based in Helmand, the country’s most dangerous province.

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "British forces in Afghanistan are protecting our national security as part of an international coalition of more than 45 nations, working alongside the Afghan National Army and police.

"Their efforts will bring security and stability to Afghanistan and prevent it from once again becoming a base from which terrorists can attack the UK and our allies around the world.

"The last nine years have seen British forces at the forefront of the campaign, for the last five working hard in one of the most challenging areas of the country building Afghan capacity to secure and govern their own country - a process which ultimately will allow us to bring our forces home.

"Our Armed Forces are the best in the world, operating daily in the most dangerous and demanding conditions. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure this essential mission succeeds.

"My thoughts and those of the nation’s are with the families and friends of all those servicemen and women who have fallen but our resolve and determination to see the mission through remains steadfast."

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said the Armed Forces took "enormous pride" in their role in Afghanistan.

"We remember everyone who has given their life in the line of duty and honour," he said.

"In theatre today, our people will be more determined than ever to deliver their task of supporting Afghans to build for their own future.

"Service personnel from across the world deployed in Afghanistan are serving with determination every day - we owe it to them to give our support and backing.

"They put their lives on the line to make the progress we have seen, and will continue to see, in Helmand and across all of Afghanistan."