A soldier from Colchester-based 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The MoD said he was killed by an improvised explosive device on Monday while on an operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
The soldier's next of kin have been informed.
The latest death to be announced brings the total number of UK fatalities since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 to 357.
Lt Col David Eastman, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said the soldier was on a patrol aimed at reassuring the local population when he was killed.
"Sadly the insurgents have resorted to planting explosives that target innocent civilians and soldiers indiscriminately, without care for the impact that they have or the destruction they cause," he said.
"The soldier gave his life trying to defend against such senseless inhumanity.
"His courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we offer heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. We will remember him."
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