A soldier who was shot dead in Afghanistan on Friday has been named as Corporal Michael Thacker.

The serviceman, from 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh, who went to school in Cwmbran, was manning an observation post in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province when his patrol came under attack from small arms fire, the Ministry of Defence said.

He received immediate medical attention and was evacuated from the scene by helicopter but died of his injuries.

The 27-year-old father-of-one had served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan - was described as a "soldier's soldier" and "natural leader" by his comrades.

He attended Fairwater High School in Cwmbran, South Wales, before joining the 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers in 2004.

Corporal Thacker leaves behind his wife Catherine, two-year old daughter Millie, father David, mother Alison and brothers Matthew, Mark and Ashley.

Cpl Thacker's wife Catherine said: "Michael was the love of my life. He was an amazing husband and father who will always be remembered as a funny, loving and kind man. Everyone who met Mike instantly liked him and through time came to love him."

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Webb MC, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, said: "Corporal Michael Thacker had all the attributes of a superb Royal Welsh junior non-commissioned officer and he was exactly the man that you would want at your side when life got difficult.

"He was a soldier's soldier - a larger than life character, highly competent, fiercely loyal and hugely proud of his family.

"He had a great sense of humour, banter was his speciality and any time spent with him was time well spent."

He added: "No-one ever left him without a smile on their face - he simply loved life. He was mischievous, fun, incredibly amiable and with a grin that would brighten the darkest of days."