A British soldier was killed in Afghanistan on Thursday when the vehicle he was travelling in was blown up in an explosion to the south of Kabul, the Ministry of Defence said.

"It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that a Royal Marine was killed today, Thursday 22nd December, south of Kabul in Afghanistan," a statement said.

"He was fatally wounded after the vehicle in which he was travelling was caught in an explosion."

The death brings to 392 the number of British servicemen killed in Afghanistan, and the 44th death this year.

Most of the fatalities have occurred in the strife-torn Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, where the majority of Britain's 9,500 troops are based.

Prime Minister David Cameron paid a brief visit to Afghanistan this week to visit British troops.