LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) - A British soldier was shot dead while on foot patrol in the southern Afghan province of Helmand on Monday, taking the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan this year to 27.

"The patrol received reports from locals that the Taliban were in the area but before they could take up defensive positions they received incoming fire, and the soldier sustained a single gunshot wound," Britain's Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Fighting has intensified in southern Afghanistan in recent weeks with the Taliban militants planting more roadside bombs and ambushing British troops.

The latest death raises the number of British soldiers killed to 113 since Britain joined the United States in invading Afghanistan to oust the Taliban in 2001.

Britain has around 8,100 troops in the country, serving as part of a 53,000-strong NATO-led force.

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