SAS man dies in action

Tributes have been paid to a Kidderminster soldier who served part-time in an SAS regiment.

Lance Corporal Richard Larkin, 39, died while serving with 23 SAS Regiment.

The Territorial Army soldier was one of four soldiers killed in an explosion near Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Defence said L/Cpl Larkin, from Cookley, "was a beloved husband, father, son and brother". E SF

The statement added his "tragic and untimely death will be deeply mourned by his family, friends and colleagues".

Corporal Sarah Bryant, the first British female soldier killed in Afghanistan, Corporal Sean Robert Reeve and Lance Corporal Paul Stout were also killed.

The soldiers, who were manning a vehicle checkpoint, were killed after their vehicle hit a mine.

L/Cpl Larkin worked as a night charge-nurse at Evesham Community Hospital, Worcestershire NHS Primary Care Trust said.

His role was running the Minor Injuries Unit and the rest of the hospital overnight.

Tony Higley, from Cookley post office, said: "It's just so sad - a young lad, two young boys, just had a baby girl. All our condolences go to his wife and his family." E BO