A Royal Marine who was killed in a helicopter accident during a training exercise was named yesterday by the Ministry of Defence.

Lance Corporal Gordon Campbell, aged 28, from Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, plunged to his death during an incident at a training area in Herefordshire.

L/Cpl Campbell's parents, Gordon and Margaret, were on holiday in China when they received the news of their son's death.

The accident, which took place on Monday at the Pontrilas army training area near Hereford, is being investigated by West Mercia Constabulary.

L/Cpl Campbell was based at Poole, home of the Royal Marines Assault Group.

The MoD said he was taking part in routine training involving a Royal Marine skill known as "fast roping" from a helicopter when he fell.

Fast roping is a technique used for descending from a helicopter which involves sliding down a hanging rope.

L/Cpl Campbell, who was nicknamed "Gordy", joined the Royal Marines in November 1997.

During his nine years in the military he had served in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.