A SOLDIER from York has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.

Trooper Ashley David Smith, 21, who was born and raised in the city, was guarding comrades as they cleared land in front of a checkpoint in Helmand province when he was hit by the blast on Friday.

His parents Sandra and Dave have paid tribute to the member of the Royal Dragoon Guards, saying they are "immensely proud" of him.

"He was the youngest of a very close family and doted on his parents," they said in a statement released today through the Ministry of Defence.

"He worked hard and was passionate about what he was doing and proud of all he had achieved.

"He cared deeply about his family and the many friends he had in the Army and in his home city of York. Everybody who knew Ashley loved him, and he was the best son any mother and father could have wished for and a loving brother to his brothers and sisters.

"Ashley will be sorely missed and we are immensely proud of our son."

Trooper Smith enlisted in the Army in March 2008 and was deployed in Canada before going to Afghanistan, where he volunteered to join a patrol in an area known to be strewn with makeshift bombs.

He is the 299th member of the UK armed forces to have died in Afghanistan since 2001 and is also survived by his girlfriend, Sarah.

His commanding officer, Lt Col James Carr-Smith, said he was a "highly impressive young man" who was "full of energy, very popular and tremendously good company".

"He was a Yorkshireman who decided to join his local Regiment after a short spell as a civilian working in York," he said.

"He arrived in Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire at about the same time that I took command of the Regiment. He loved the camaraderie the Regiment offered and he loved soldiering.

"But he had other passions, chief of which were his family and basketball. In his teens, he played basketball for the York Vikings and a promising career beckoned, but in the end he opted for service in his local Cavalry Regiment.

"His other great passions were his family and friends. He often said that his family was the most important part of his life."

Lt Col Carr-Smith said Trooper Smith "died doing the job he loved" and added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, brothers, sisters and girlfriend, whom he loved dearly.

"He will be missed by us all and his sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Trooper Smith's friend Sergeant Richie Wales described him as "one of the most positive characters I have ever met" and "one of the good guys" and paid his personal tribute by saying: "We won't forget you, Ash. Go well, wherever you are."

Another colleague, Trooper Michael Noonan, said: "He loved to laugh, even when the going got tough, but he was dedicated to the Troop and wanted to be in Afghanistan with the boys.

"Ash was madly in love with his girlfriend Sarah and my thoughts go out to her and Ash's family. He was a true hero, gone now, but remembered forever."

Defence Secretary Liam Fox also mourned Trooper Smith by saying: "It is clear he was a brave, talented and thoughtful soldier who will be truly missed by all who knew him."