A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The death of the soldier from A Company 4 Rifles, serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group, takes the toll of British dead in Afghanistan to 250 since the start of the campaign.
The soldier died as a result of an explosion near Sangin, in central Helmand Province, on Friday afternoon.
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 earlier.
"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."
Next of kin have asked for a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released.
The head of the Army, General Sir David Richards, cautioned recently that 2010 could be a "tough year" as the troop surge announced by US president Barack Obama in December takes effect.
Britain has suffered more deaths in Afghanistan than any other country apart from the United States.
UK troops have been hit particularly hard because nearly all of them are based in Helmand, an insurgent stronghold and major centre of opium production which is the most dangerous province in the country.
Thousands of Afghan civilians have also died since the overthrow of the Taliban in late 2001.
