Tributes have been paid to a British soldier killed by small arms fire in Afghanistan.

Corporal Lloyd Newell, from the Parachute Regiment, died in an an operation in Helmand on Thursday.

He was married with a nine-week-old daughter

According to the Sun newspaper Cpl Newell was in the SAS but an MoD spokesman said: "We cannot comment on Special Forces matters."

An Army spokesman said: "Cpl Lloyd Newell was a man of integrity and principle. He was a natural and talented soldier who loved his work and the military lifestyle.

"He personified the great British Paratrooper - selfless, humble, cheerful and utterly reliable. He did his duty, relishing discomfort as a personal test, and always acting in the greater interests of the team. He attracted friends easily and cared deeply for those around him. His friendship was cherished by all.

"He was devoted to his wife and their nine week old daughter. Their family unit had the strength born of true love and kinship. Their loss is unimaginable. His vitality was palpable, his dignity natural, his humour refreshing. We salute him."

Cpl Newell died on the same day that another British soldier was killed in a separate incident.

The serviceman from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, serving with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, was killed by a bomb in the Gereshk Valley area of Helmand. He died trying to rescue a vehicle which had been hit by another blast.

The two deaths bring the total number of UK troops who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 373.