Marine adds to death toll

A ROYAL Marine was shot dead in Afghanistan yesterday while on patrol.

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick, a spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: "It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of a Royal Marine from 42 Commando Royal Marines. He was on joint patrol in the Adensee area of Nahr-e-Saraj District in Helmand Province when he was fatally wounded by small arms fire." Next of kin have been informed.

The incident brings the total of UK military personnel who have died in Afghanistan since 2001 to 370.