British soldier dies in action in Iraq

A British soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, the defence secretary has confirmed.

Guardsman Anthony John Wakefield, 24, was from Newcastle upon Tyne, said the Ministry of Defence. He died from injuries sustained in "hostile action".

Geoff Hoon told BBC Radio 4 the guardsman had been involved in a routine operation, south of Al Amarah.

The latest death takes the number of UK servicemen who have died in the Iraq conflict to 87.

The soldier died on Monday from injuries sustained during Sunday night's incident in the southern Iraqi town.