Yorkshire Regiment soldiers killed in Helmand

The pair, who were serving with 3rd Battalion, died following the explosions near Malgir in Helmand Province yesterday. Their next of kin have been informed.

A spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col David Wakefield, said: "It is with deep sadness I must inform you that improvised explosive devices claimed the lives of two British soldiers this morning in the Malgir area of central Helmand, an area between Babaji and Gereshk.

"The soldiers were on a foot patrol when the explosions happened.

"Two of our comrades, taken from us in the course of their duty, whose resolute bravery and sacrifice we will remember."

The battalion, which deployed in September, is working alongside the Coldstream Guards and is due to return in May.

In November part of the battalion, Burma Company, returned from the conflict having deployed in July as battle casualty replacements.

Just three weeks into the tour Private Johnathon Young, 18, from Hull, became one of the youngest casualties of the war.

The latest two deaths bring the total since the campaign started in 2001 to 253 – two short of the number who died during the Falklands War in 1982.

As the death toll nears the grim landmark there were warnings there will be "many more" casualties in Afghanistan in 2010.

Nato's civilian representative in the country, Mark Sedwill, warned of an "awful lot of violence" as the coalition's military strategy is beefed up.