The father of a young soldier accidentally shot dead by a comrade in Afghanistan called today for "lessons to be learned" from the tragedy.

Maidstone-born Lance Corporal Michael Pritchard, 22, was killed by gunfire from a remote observation post from a British sniper.

Lance Corporal Malcolm Graham, of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, thought he was shooting at Taliban insurgents, an inquest at Eastbourne Town Hall was told.

L/Cpl Pritchard, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was deployed to the observation post on December 20, 2009.

He was tasked with watching a blind spot on an access road in the Sangin area, central Helmand province to ensure insurgents did not plant improvised explosive devices.

East Sussex Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said a number of factors, including poor communication, had played a part but the basic reason for the tragedy was the failure of the organisation that would have prevented 'blue on blue' contact.

Speaking outside court, L/Cpl Pritchard's father Gary said: "We hope and trust that the Army will take steps to ensure that this does not happen again."

The body of L Cpl Michael Pritchard is repatriated