A British soldier has died in a blast in southern Iraq - the 100th UK forces fatality since the 2003 invasion.

The soldier, from the 7th Armoured Brigade, was killed in Umm Qasr, the Ministry of Defence said.

It follows the death of L/Cpl Allan Douglas, 22, who was shot and killed in Maysan province on Monday.

The prime minister’s spokesman said Mr Blair was “deeply saddened” by the deaths but added British troops would be in Iraq for as long as is necessary.

Three other troops were injured, one seriously, in the Umm Qasr blast, which took place at 0834 local time (0534 GMT).

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