The body of a soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan will return to Britain today.

Sergeant Peter Rayner, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, will be flown back to RAF Lyneham.

A private service will be held at the base's chapel before the cortege passes through Wootton Bassett.

Hundreds are expected to line the town's High Street in tribute, as has become custom.

The 34-year-old died while on a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province on October 8.

The serviceman, a keen mountain biker who hailed from Bradford, West Yorkshire, loved being a soldier and followed in the Army footsteps of his father.

Sgt Rayner, who leaves wife Wendy and son Derek, had previously served in Bosnia and Iraq and died during a second tour of Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of Defence.

His wife said: "Fantastic loving husband and father, son, son-in-law, brother and brother-in-law, who loved his job and doing something which he believed in.

"He will be sincerely missed by all who knew him."

According to his parents, Peter and Bernadette, Sgt Rayner was an "avid"

Bradford City supporter.

They added: "A keen mountain biker he was always full of energy and was someone who enjoyed life to the full.

"As a soldier, he loved his job and was totally committed to the Army, as well as his family and friends.

"As a son and brother, he was a fun-loving and caring person of whom we are all very proud.

"We loved him so dearly and will miss him with all our hearts."

Tributes poured in from comrades, including Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Boyd, Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, who said: "He was honest, loyal and always vocal.

"A true Lion of England and a man of high morals, guts and integrity.

"A man who cared not just for the morale of his soldiers, but in how that morale was created.

"A man with great spirit and forthrightness, who was as true as his aim was with a Javelin Missile.

"He never let me down; always telling me the truth, always presenting a fresh opinion, always diplomatic and always underpinning our chats with his fine sense of humour.

"Ferocious in defence of his men and deadly with a Javelin missile, he fired as many as any operator in the Army when facing the enemy in battle.

"My heart bleeds for Wendy and Derek who are strong members of our Regimental family based in Cyprus and I know they will be supported by their many friends there.

"Their pain is ours and their loss is shared by us all, be it here in Afghanistan or in Cyprus."

Sgt Rayner - nicknamed Skippy - sported a shaven head and "larger than life personality", according to Major Paul Tingey, Officer Commanding Arnhem Company, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

He said: "Sgt Rayner was known to everyone; he left a lasting impression on you after the first meeting.

"He spoke his mind and always had the best interests of his men at heart.

"I will remember Skippy as a devoted family man, a fanatical mountain biker and one of the best commanders that I have had the privilege to work with."

A total of 340 UK troops have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.