A Didcot-based bomb disposal expert killed while trying to defuse an explosive in Afghanistan will be remembered as the "ultimate professional", colleagues said last night.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O'Donnell, based at Vauxhall Barracks in Foxhall Road, died in Helmand province last Wednesday.

The 40-year-old bomb technician was a member of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Regiment, part of the Royal Logistic Corps and was based at Didcot for 10 months.

At the time of his death, the father-of-four was commanding a team trying to make safe a bomb when it exploded. He died of his injuries.

Originally from Edinburgh, he lived with his family in Leamington Spa and earned a George Medal for bravery during a tour of in Iraq in 2006.

His widow Toni said: "Gary was living the dream and we are all very proud of who he was. He will be missed greatly."

He also leaves 10-week old son Ben, who he saw for the first time just a few weeks ago, Aiden, eight, and two children from a previous marriage, Dylan, 13, and Cayleigh, 16.

Yesterday, his friends and colleagues in Didcot paid tribute to him.

Richard Maybery, commanding officer of 11 EOD Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, said: "Gary always had a calm and considered air about him and was the man you wanted next to you in any crisis or pressurised situation.

"He was the ultimate professional and very much a soldier first and technician second.

"It is some small comfort to know he died doing the job he loved and for which he was highly respected."

WO O'Donnell joined the Army in 1992 and had served in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Northern Ireland.