Dead soldier 'a star' say family of Sgt Nigel Coupe from St Annes

The mother and wife of a Lancashire soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on Tuesday have paid tribute to a beloved son, husband and father.

Sgt Nigel Coupe, 33, of 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was one of six soldiers who died when their Warrior armoured vehicle was hit by a huge Taliban bomb in Kandahar province.

His mother Elaine Freeman and his wife Natalie Coupe said he was "a star" who will be remembered as "a loving husband and doting daddy".

Sgt Coupe leaves behind two girls.