A SOLDIER killed in Afghanistan was a former Weymouth College student who lived in Blandford, his family said.

Lance Corporal Jonathan McKinlay, 33, served with 1 Rifles, and had been in Afghanistan since June.

He was killed by small arms fire while on patrol in a village near his checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said.

LCpl McKinlay leaves wife Lisa, mother Valerie, sister Becca, and children Megan, Ollie and Piper.

His sister Becca, who lives in Weymouth, said she was too upset to speak about her brother but that she loved him dearly.

He used to attend Weymouth College one day a week and had a home in Blandford.

LCpl's McKinlay's mother Valerie said: "Rebecca and I are devastated, as are the rest of the family. Jonathan was dearly loved by us all and by his many friends around the world."

His wife Lisa called him "one in a million."

Full story and more tributes in Monday's Echo.

Leave your tribute to LCpl McKinlay here.