A Royal Marine has died in a Birmingham hospital from wounds sustained during an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The member of the Royal Marine Armoured Support Group was wounded on May 22 while travelling near Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province.

He died on Thursday at Selly Oak hospital, in Birmingham, after being returned to the UK for further specialist treatment.

Selly Oak is home to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, which cares for injured service men and women from conflict zones.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson said: “It is with extreme sadness that I must report the death of a brave Marine.

“He laid down his life for his country and the good people of Afghanistan. We grieve for his loss and join with his family and friends to mourn his passing.”

The Marine’s next of kin have been informed.