A SOLDIER from South Devon has been killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence is yet to confirm his name but it is understood to be Stephen Thompson.

He was killed on Sunday while serving with 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 Rifles), serving as part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group.

His sister Helen Thompson, the lead singer of ska band Too Hot, posted details of his death on her Facebook page.

She and other members of Stephen's family, who are understood to live in Bovey Tracey, were yesterday too upset to talk about the tragedy.

Helen's Facebook tribute reads: "To all those that knew my beloved gorgeous friend and brother Stephen Thompson.

"He was killed yesterday in a roadside bomb doing the thing that he loved and fighting for our country.

"Words cannot express how devastated we are and much I will miss him.

"My big brother I love you."

Members of the popular ska band, which plays gigs at venues throughout South Devon, confirmed Stephen had died.

They said they had been in contact with Helen but were too distressed to comment.

Stephen, who is in his early 30s, attended Chudleigh Knighton Primary School.

Heather Slater, head of teaching and learning at the school, said: "We feel very sad for the family.

"Staff who are still here who were here at the same time as Stephen say he was a lovely lad.

"His mother was a classroom assistant here for many years."

The MoD is expected to release full details of his death today.

The army has confirmed a soldier from 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 Rifles) died as a result of an explosion which occurred in an area three kilometres south of Sangin district centre, in Helmand province.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said: "It is with a heavy heart I must inform you of the death of a second British soldier in a separate incident yesterday, in the Sangin area of northern Helmand province.

"He was from 1 Rifles, serving as part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group, and was on a foot patrol near Patrol Base Almas, which is to the south of Sangin district centre, when he was killed by an explosion.

"We have lost one of our comrades and he will be sorely missed but his boldness and his selfless commitment to this fight will not be forgotten."

Next of kin have been informed.

This death was not connected to Operation Moshtarak, the ongoing offensive to take control of the region from insurgents.