A British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan has been described by colleagues as an "inspired leader".

Major Sean Birchall, 33, of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died on Friday in an explosion near Lashkar Gah in central Helmand province.

His wife Joanna said he was a "wonderful husband" and a "devoted father" to their 18-month-old son Charlie.

The Ministry of Defence says Major Birchall was leading a routine patrol to deliver supplies and check on his men in the check-points around Basharan.

As the patrol, consisting of three armoured vehicles, made its way between check-points, an improvised explosive device was detonated against the second vehicle.

Despite immediate assistance from the patrol medic, Major Birchall died as he was being taken to the helicopter landing site.

His death takes the number of UK service personnel to have died in the country since operations began to 169.

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