Britain names soldier killed in Iraq

LONDON, Jan 22 (Reuters) The British soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq over the weekend was today named as Private Michael Tench, 18, of The Light Infantry.

Tench, originally from Sunderland, died as a result of injuries sustained from the blast during a patrol after setting out from a base in the north of Basra, Iraq's second biggest city, the Ministry of Defence said.

Four other members of the patrol were hurt, one very seriously.

''I am very sorry for the loss of Private Michael Tench whilst on patrol in Southern Iraq,'' said Defence Secretary Des Browne in a statement. ''I understand from those who knew him that he was an outstanding and popular soldier.'' Britain, the main ally of the United States in Iraq, says it hopes to reduce its force of about 7,000 troops there this year, even as US President George W. Bush plans to send an additional 21,500 US troops.

A total of 130 British troops have died while serving on the Iraq operation since 2003, including 99 listed as killed in action.

REUTERS LL ND2306