A 27-year-old soldier from Peacehaven has been fatally wounded in Afghanistan.

Daniel Steven Prior died yesterday surrounded by his family, including his three-week-old son.

He was flown back to the UK after being injured in a blast while on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province on Thursday, where he had been investigating insurgent activity.

Private Prior, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was born in Brighton but grew up in Peacehaven.

His parents Ian and Gillian made a joint statement with Pte Prior's wife, Emily, and newborn son, Logan, saying: "Dan was a lively young man with an amazing sense of humour.

"He was a wonderful son, husband and father. We are all tremendously proud of him and he will be sorely missed by his family and friends."

Pte Prior died at the same age as his uncle, Steve Prior, who was killed by sniper bullets while trying to save a colleague during the Falklands war.

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