A soldier from Watford was killed unlawfully while on active service in Afghanistan, a coroner ruled today.

Corporal Christopher Harrison, 26, was leading a patrol when an improvised explosive device blew up near Sangin, Helmand Province, on May 9, 2010.

An inquest at Hatfield Coroner's Court heard the Royal Marine, from 40 Commando, suffered "unsurvivable" injuries in the explosion, which injured two other men.

Coroner Edward Thomas, however, praised his fellow patrol members for doing everything they could to save him - a sentiment echoed by Cpl Harrison's family members who attended the hearing.

Mr Thomas said: "He was obviously a first class person. A lot of people clearly had a lot of respect for him and he was described as exceptionally good at his job.

"But he also was a lovely man with an infectious sense of humour and somebody who will always be remembered with great affection."

For the full story, see this Friday's Watford Observer.