Two Royal Marines killed in Afghanistan have been named as Tony Evans and Georgie Sparks.

The men, from 42 Commando Royal Marines, died after they "came under sustained enemy fire" while on a foot patrol near Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand province on Thursday.

They were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades while on the roof of a building, and died from their injuries while being flown back to Camp Bastion by helicopter.

Marine Evans, 20, from Sunderland, was described as "the epitome of the Commando - robust in action, loyal in friendship, determined and resolute and always living life to the full" by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Stickland.

Lieutenant Colonel Sickland said Marine Sparks, 19, from Epping, Essex, was "a man to be relied on, a man who had found his place and a man at the peak of his game".

Secretary of State for Defence John Hutton said: "My thoughts are with the families of these two men and all the many colleagues and friends they leave behind.”

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.