The number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the start of the bloody campaign has reached another grim milestone.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed last night that the 250th soldier had died in an explosion near Sangin, in central Helmand Province.

The soldier was from A Company 4 Rifles, serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group.

The death takes the number killed to just five below the amount who died during the Falklands War in 1982.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said: It is my sad duty to inform you that a British soldier from A Company 4 Rifles, serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group, was killed by an explosion near Sangin in Helmand Province.

He was on a foot patrol, part of a larger operation to provide security for the local population in Sangin, when the explosion happened. His courage and the sacrifice he has made will not be forgotten.

The soldier is expected to be named later today.