LONDON, May 28 (Reuters) - A British soldier was killed in Afghanistan on Monday, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldier, who was serving in Helmand province in the south of the country, died "as a result of enemy action", the ministry said in a statement.

The soldier's family had been informed of the death and had requested a 24-hour delay before the soldier's name was released, it added.

Britain sent thousands of troops to Helmand province in southern Afghanistan about a year ago with an expanding NATO peacekeeping force. They have seen heavy combat there in recent months.

AlertNet news is provided by