British soldier killed by bomb in Iraq

LONDON, Dec 29 (Reuters) A British soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol near the city of Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said today.

It said the soldier from the 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died from injuries he received in the explosion which took place yesterday.

No other people were injured in the incident, it said.

The ministry said the soldier was on patrol in a Warrior armoured fighting vehicle when bomb went off.

He was airlifted to a nearby field hospital but died later from his injuries.

The death brings to 127 the number of British service men and women who have been killed Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003.

REUTERS PDM VV1649