A coroner today criticised the lack of protective buildings at Britian's main military base in Iraq following the death of a Carterton soldier.

Sgt Duane Barwood, 41, was killed during a rocket bombardment at Basra Airport in February.

An inquest into his death was told commanders had ordered improved protection for toilet and shower facilities just one week before the father-of two died.

Recording a verdict of unlawful killing, Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker said: "What makes this all the more tragic is that had the appropriate buildings been started five years ago, as they should have been, this loss of life could have been avoided."

He added: "There was a failure to provide appropriate protective buildings for the area of the base where Sgt Barwood died."

Earlier, the inquest heard evidence from Lt Colonel Andrew Voase, the Royal Engineers' officer in charge of improving fortifications at the base.

Looking at a photograph of the blast scene, the coroner asked: "It does not appear there is much protection for the shower and toilet blocks. Is that the case?"

Lt Col Voase replied: "At the time, yes."

The inquest in Oxford heard Sgt Barwood, who had served in the RAF Regiment as a motor transport officer for 23 years, had just 15 seconds to react to an alarm after the rockets were fired at the base.

It exploded on impact with a wall six metres away from Sgt Barwood, causing fatal injuries.

A post mortem carried out at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, after his body was flown back to Britain, showed metal fragments entered his heart and lungs.

Mr Walker said: "There would have been a very rapid loss of consciousness and sadly death following very shortly after."

Sgt Barwood's widow, Sharon Barwood, spoke briefly at the inquest to question why in light of such a threat, so little protection was afforded to an area in almost constant use.