An inquest is due to be held today into the death of a "superb" British soldier killed during a bloody day's fighting in Afghanistan.

Private John Brackpool, 27, of Prince of Wales's Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died from a gunshot wound following a battle with insurgents near Char-e-Anjir, just outside Lashkar Gar, on July 9.

Pte Brackpool, from Crawley, was among eight British soldiers to die within 24 hours, marking a fresh low point for casualty rates during the Afghan mission.

Arsenal supporter Pte Brackpool, a father-of-one who also left behind his parents and partner, was due to celebrate his 28th birthday just days after he died.

The soldier, who had also served in Kosovo and Iraq, was on sentry duty at a compound as part of Operation Panther's Claw when he was engaged by enemy fire.

One of the rounds struck him. He died despite immediate medical help. Hundreds of people turned out for his full military funeral service at St John the Baptist Church in his home town on July 23.

Before the service, his battle group commander, Lieutenant Colonel Doug Chalmers described him as a "superb soldier" who "kept morale going when things got tough".

The inquest will be held at Horsham Magistrates' Court from 10am.