The body of the second soldier from Maidstone's 36 Engineers regiment to be killed in a week was repatriated yesterday.

Sapper Guy Mellors, 20, from Coventry, was killed by a roadside bomb he was trying to clear on Monday.

His death has prompted calls for a lasting memorial in Maidstone to the town's soldiers killed in Afghanistan (See this week's Kent Messenger for details).

Sapper Mellors was serving as part of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force in Afghanistan. He was near Patrol Base Ezaray, to the north-east of Sangin District Centre in Helmand province, when the explosion happened.

Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the Kent-based soldier.

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Hulme, commanding officer of 36 Engineers, said: "In Sapper Guy Mellors we had a Sapper of real talent. Extremely fit, enthusiastic and with a dogged determination to make the most of every opportunity that presented itself, he rapidly established his credentials as a positive force and outgoing character amongst his peer group.

"Blessed with a zest for life, a quick wit and impish personality he could always raise a smile, even in the most arduous circumstances - he laughed at others but was just as comfortable laughing at himself."

Friend and colleague Sapper Stuart Coleman said: "Guy was a top bloke; he really was one of the boys and one of my closest friends. He was the biggest smallest lad that I knew. He did his best in the gym but he couldn't shake those pointy ribs.

"We seemed to be joined at the hip for most of the tour, wherever I went he wasn't far behind. From searching to getting up at 3am, we got each other through it. I trusted Guy with my life and I will never forget him."

The death comes just seven days after the regiment, which is based at Invicta Barracks in Maidstone, lost WO2 David Markland, who also died while on duty in Afghanistan.

Neither of the deaths was connected to Operation Moshtarak.