Private Johnathon Young, 18, of 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, died in a Taliban explosion in Helmand province on Thursday while trying to safeguard the Afghan elections.

The Hull-born soldier, who grew up on the city's Orchard Park estate, had only been in Afghanistan for three weeks after volunteering to serve as a battle casualty replacement for 19 Light Brigade.

Sergeant Paul McAleese, 29, of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, the son of a SAS hero, was killed in a second blast while trying to help Pte Young.

Sgt McAleese's father, John McAleese, was at the centre of the dramatic SAS raid that ended a siege at the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980. He was seen on live TV by an audience of millions placing explosive charges moments before SAS troopers stormed the building.

Sgt McAleese and Pte Young died while on a foot patrol near Forward Operating Base Wishtan on Thursday morning, trying to secure a key thoroughfare for the people of Sangin District.

Pte Young leaves his mother, Angela, brother Carl, sister Leah, and his girlfriend, Nicola.

His family said in a statement: "John was so handsome. He was a good son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and boyfriend.

"He will be loved and missed by all who knew him.

"We were so proud of our John, he was our brave heart, our Johnny Bravo. Night night Johnny Bravo."

His body is expected to be flown into RAF Lyneham this week.

Pte Young, who attended Sir Henry Cooper secondary school in Hull, was described by his battalion commanding officer at 3 Yorks, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, as "a true Yorkshireman; proud, tough and honest".

Major Rupert Follett, Officer Commanding C Company, 2 Rifles Battle Group, said the young soldier had shown immense bravery in one of the most difficult and perilous jobs being undertaken by the infantry in Afghanistan.

He said: "Private Young had one of the most dangerous roles in Afghanistan. As lead man for patrols he was responsible for finding and confirming Improvised Explosive Devices.

"As an 18-year-old soldier, this was an enormous responsibility to bear on such young shoulders. He was fully aware that IEDs have accounted for the bulk of our casualties, and yet the bravery and courage he displayed was humbling."

Regulars in Pte Young's local pub, the Pint and Pot on Orchard Park, paid their own tributes.

Dave Anthony, 58, said: "Before he went everyone was saying what a lovely lad he was.

"He was a good guy who used to come in quite regularly when he was home.

"They are all heroes, but it's always the British and Americans who take the brunt of it."

Mr Anthony did, however, question whether the war in Afghanistan was winnable.

"I don't think they'll ever win it," he said. "You've only got to look at history to know they've been fighting each other forever out there. I think they should pull them out. "

The deaths brings the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to to 206