THE soldier who died in Brecon while on a training exercise has been paid a tribute by one of his commanding officers.

Joshua Hoole, from Ecclefechan near Lockerbie in Scotland, was a member of The Rifles regiment.

The 26-year-old, based at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire, died on Tuesday while on pre-course training for the Platoon Sergeants' Battle Course, which is described as "both mentally and physically demanding".

The Platoon Sergeants' Battle Course is taken by infantry soldiers who want to progress to the rank of sergeant.

The course is run three times a year, involving marching long distances carrying weight, and digging trenches.

Major Dean Murch MBE, officer commanding, The Rifles, 1st infantry training battalion, said they are "utterly devastated" following the death of Corporal Hoole.

He added: "His family have lost a son, a brother, a fiancee and a very special friend, their grief will be inconsolable.

"Truly the thoughts and prayers of every single Rifleman in the Regiment and all his colleagues at the Infantry Training Centre are with them in their hour of need, now and in the forthcoming days and beyond."

Mr Hoole died on the training exercise on what was the hottest day of the year in the Brecon area of Wales, where temperatures peaked at just above 30C (86F).

His death follows those of three soldiers who were taking part in an SAS training exercise in the Brecon Beacons on one of the hottest days of 2013.

The incident comes just three months after the Defence Select Committee published a report calling for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to be liable for prosecution for the deaths of armed forces personnel.

The report found that since the start of 2000, 135 military personnel had died while taking part in training exercises - 89 from the Army, 24 from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and 22 from the RAF.

The MoD will carry out a full investigation into the death, Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin said.