Sarah Bryant, 26, was killed with three other soldiers in the deadliest attack on UK forces in Afghanistan since hostilities began in 2001.

Her father Des Feely told the Daily Mail: "It is truly devastating...an absolute massive shock. Ever since she was a schoolgirl it was her dream to be a soldier. I cannot believe she will not come home."

Mr Feely, of Cotehill, Carlisle, said he and wife Maureen were "absolutely devastated to have lost the beautiful daughter we adored". He added: "But I know that at least Sarah died doing the job she loved and for a cause she believed in."

Cpl Bryant and the three male soldiers were killed while taking part in a planned operation east of Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province on Tuesday afternoon, when their vehicle was caught in an explosion.

Three were killed in the blast and the fourth pronounced dead on arrival at Camp Bastion, the Ministry of Defence said.

It is understood the men were special forces reservists with the 23rd SAS Regiment.

A fifth soldier wounded in the attack is said to be in a stable condition.

The incident took the UK's death toll over a bloody 10-day period to nine. A total of 106 British service personnel have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in November 2001.

Cpl Bryant married fellow intelligence officer Carl Bryant, her long-time sweetheart, two years ago, the Mail reported. She had done two six-month tours to Iraq. She spoke the local Pashtu language, and her work involved monitoring Taliban telephone and walkie-talkie communications.