AN RAF serviceman based in the region has been killed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

The gunner, from 34 Squadron RAF Regiment, based at RAF Leeming, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, died yesterday.

He was on a patrol near Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province.

The man's next of kin have been informed, but his identity has not yet been made public.

A statement on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) website, said he was killed as the result of an explosion close to the camp.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, of Task Force Helmand, called his death a "true loss".

He said: "The death of this courageous Royal Air Force Regiment gunner is a true loss.

"He will be mourned by his friends, colleagues and all of us serving in Helmand province.

"We know that, while our loss is heartfelt, it is nothing compared to the sorrow of his family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathies."

The airman was taking part in a routine patrol to prevent insurgents launching an attack on Camp Bastian, the UK's main base in Helmand.

The role of the RAF Regiment is to protect the security of the airfield at the base to ensure that British aircraft can safely take off and land there.

This latest death means 219 British service personnel have died in Afghanistan since the start of the conflict, in 2001.

The MoD is expected to release details of the man's identity tomorrow, after a "period of grace" is observed.

A spokesman for RAF Leeming said the base will be paying its own tribute to the gunner in due course.