The family of a Bradford soldier who became the UK’s 350th military fatality in Afghanistan have spoken of their heartache.

Private Martin Bell, 24, was killed in a blast from an improvised explosive device to the south of Nahr-e-Saraj in Helmand province on Tuesday.

Click here to sign the book of condolence for Private Martin Bell

The soldier, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was fatally wounded in the explosion as he attempted to go to the aid of a comrade who had been injured by a separate device.

Pte Bell leaves behind his parents Simon and Elaine and his brothers Oliver and Philip.

The family said in a statement: “Martin was proud to be in the Parachute Regiment and serving his country. He served three years as a Police Community Support Officer in West Yorkshire Police before joining the PARAs.

“He has made lots of friends easily at each point of his life’s journey.

“Martin was extremely close to his two brothers, Oliver and Philip.

“He had a wicked and infectious sense of humour that would have served him well in difficult times.

“Martin was a well-loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle and brother.

“He made us all very proud and he will leave behind a hole in all of our hearts that will never be replaced.

“He was our best friend too.

"We are a very close-knit family and although we are grieving for his loss, we hope that all the other soldiers keep safe.”

Private Bell disobeyed a direct order to go to the aid of his injured colleague.

His superiors said he was a hero whose selfless act cost him his life.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Harrison, Commanding Officer, 2 Para said: “Private Bell died going to the assistance of a critically injured friend in the most dangerous combat circumstances imaginable; ‘greater love has no man than this’.

“He knew the risks all too well, twice in the minutes before his death he had witnessed at first-hand the devastating human impact of IEDs.”