A Royal Marine has been shot dead after his patrol was ambushed in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence said the Royal Marine, from 42 Commando, was shot in the Khorgajat area of the Nahr-e Saraj district yesterday.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the soldier will be repatriated to RAF Brize Norton on Thursday.

A ceremony has already been planned for Lance Corporal Jonathan McKinlay, whose body is expected to be repatriated at 2pm.

Task Force Helmand spokesman Major Rolf Kurth said: "The Royal Marine was part of a foot patrol in support of the Afghan National Army, when they came under small arms fire. He died as a result of a gunshot wound sustained in the ambush. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in their time of grief."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the Marine was shot at "close range".

He added: "Despite the best efforts of the medics on the ground and extraction by helicopter, he was pronounced dead on arrival at Camp Bastion Role 3 Hospital."

The family of the serviceman - who is expected to be named today - has been told.

The killing takes the number of British troops who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 382.