A SOLDIER from the North-East has been named as the latest miltary victim of the war in Afghanistan.

Rifleman Jonothon Allott of 3rd Battalion The Rifles was from North Shields.

Rifleman Allott died from wounds received as a result of an explosion which occurred near Sangin, in Helmand Province, on March 5.

Rifleman Allott was born in North Shields on May 31, 1990.

He attended Kings High School, in his home town of Bournemouth, before becoming an apprentice bricklayer.

In November 2008 he enlisted to join the Army and was sent for training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, completing this at the end of May 2009. He joined 3rd Battalion The Rifles in Edinburgh in June 2009 and joined B Company for their pre-deployment training.

"Rifleman Allott deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan in September 2009 where he was employed as the front man in his patrol, responsible for clearing the ground of improvised explosive devices," said a Ministry of Defence spokesman.

"His platoon was working out of a Patrol Base in the centre of Sangin and, alongside their Afghan National Army partners, were providing security and reassurance to the local population.

"Rifleman Allott died from his wounds following an IED explosion whilst deployed on an operation to insert a new patrol base. He leaves behind his parents, sister and two brothers."

Rifleman Allott's family said: "Jonothon Michael Allott (Jonny) died a hero doing the job he loved - he will be sorely missed by the whole family and all who knew him.

"He had a wish that his brothers could have shared his experiences with him. Jonothon couldn't wait to get home and wear his medal with pride."