A MILITARY policeman from Manchester killed by a blast in Afghanistan was `a true friend' who will be `dearly missed and never forgotten', his family said.

Corporal James Oakland, from New Moston, died while on a foot patrol near Gereshk district centre in Helmand Province on Thursday.

Cpl Oakland, 26, was killed by a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) as he conducted a search to clear the route. His parents Steve and Christine, brother Daniel and long-term girlfriend Lauren Bowyer said: "We are immensely proud of James, the person he was and the job that he did. He was a true friend, loving son, grandson, brother and boyfriend, who will be dearly missed and never forgotten."

His brother Daniel is in his final term at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

The soldier's death, the fourth this month, took the number of British troops who have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 to 222.

Cpl Oakland was attached to the counter-IED task force of the Weapons Intelligence Company.

He had previously served in Kosovo and Beirut, and had gone to Afghanistan two months early to replace a battlefield casualty.

Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the counter IED task force with the Royal Logistic Corps, said Cpl Oakland was `an excellent soldier, a natural leader and extremely well thought of by all ranks'.

Inspiring character 

He said: "He was an inspiring character and his loss will be felt keenly across our close-knit community."

His personal example and dedication was `an inspiration to us all', Lt Col Bex said.

Major Andy Lewis, company commander of the Royal Logistic Corps' Weapons Intelligence Specialist Company, said: "Corporal Jimmy Oakland was one of the brightest stars in my Company and it was an honour to serve alongside him.

"A giant in both mind and body he had a natural flair for his job.

"He was the man you wanted on your side in a difficult situation as he had been there many times before.

"A soldier's soldier, he was in his element in the field; robust, devoted and utterly professional, he epitomised the RMP soldier in every aspect."

He never wavered because he knew he was making a difference, Maj Lewis said.

He went on: "The Company is understandably shocked by his death and that such a pivotal character has been taken so cruelly. He will be missed but never forgotten."