The Mother of a Plymouth based marine killed in Afghanistan at the weekend has described her son as 'one in a hundred million.'

19 year old Nigel Dean Mead of 42 commando was killed by an improvised explosive device as he helped to search a compound believed to have been run by insurgents in the Nad-e-Ali district on Sunday.

Lima company landed in a helicopter and Marine Mead was fatally injured by a blast as they moved towards the compounds.

Dean grew up in Carmarthen before joining the marines in 2008.

Commanding officer of 42 commando Lieutenant Colonel Ewan Murchison described him as 'selfless, warm hearted and utterly professional.'

His Mother Amanda said he was the rock that supported her throughout her life and would always be her blue eyed little boy.

Defence secretary Liam Fox added his tributes, saying he was deeply saddened to learn of his death and that Marine Mead was an exemplary young man with incredible enthusiasm.

It's not yet known when Dean Mead's body will be repatriated.