MARINE Jason Mackie, who was killed in Afghanistan when his vehicle was struck by an explosive, will be repatriated on Friday.

The 21-year-old from Bampton, was killed on Thursday in the Basharan area of central Helmand.

He joined the Royal Marines in 2007 and was serving as a Viking All Terrain Vehicle Operator in 3rd Armoured Support Troop.

Marine Mackie’s body is expected be flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, before being taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for a post-mortem examination.

The Union flag in Bampton has been lowered and will remain at half mast until Marine Mackie’s funeral.