He died when his vehicle was caught in a blast north of Sangin, Helmand Province.

Another two British personnel who were injured in the attack had to be airlifted to Camp Bastion for treatment, the Ministry of Defence said.

The incident happened as the troops returned to base after operations around Musa Qaleh.

The death brought the number of British military personnel who have died in Afghanistan since 2001 to 97.

Brigadier General Carlos Branco, spokesman for the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of these brave soldiers."

Defence Secretary Des Browne described a sense of progress and optimism in Helmand after visiting British troops on a trip to Afghanistan.

He said: "I come away with a sense that we are succeeding against the insurgents, and that the Afghans' ability to deliver their own security is ever increasing.

"We must ensure that our efforts to provide security are matched by international and Afghan delivery of development."