THE bodies of two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan, including one from North Yorkshire, have been repatriated to the UK today.

The remains of Craftsman Andrew Found, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and Private Gareth Bellingham, from 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, were flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

A private service was held at the base's chapel.

Craftsman Found, 27, from Whitby, Yorkshire, died in an explosion in the Gereshk Valley area last Thursday, June 16.

The father of two had been trying to rescue a vehicle which had been hit by another blast. In a tribute released shortly after his death, his wife Samantha said he was the best husband anyone could have wished for.

The couple had a son, Jaxson, and Craftsman Found had another son, Michael, from a previous relationship.

Pte Bellingham, 22, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was in the southern Nahr-e Saraj district when he came under fire under fire last Saturday, June 18.

Lieutenant Colonel Giles Woodhouse, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords), said Pte Bellingham had a genuine affinity with his Afghan National Army partners, who battled to save him.

His parents Leslie and Suzanne said he had died doing the job he loved.