The widow of a Birmingham soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq has paid tribute to a "fantastic dad and loving husband".

Sergeant John Jones, aged 31, from the the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment Of Fusiliers, died on Sunday in an explosion which targeted two Land Rovers in Basra.

"Jonah" Jones, a married father-of-one from Castle Bromwich, was commanding a routine patrol when the incident occurred.

The keen Aston Villa fan leaves behind wife Nickie and five-year-old son Jack.

His widow said: "Jonah was a real all-round sportsman. He boxed, played football and was passionate about Aston Villa.

"He loved being a soldier and was very proud of his regiment. But most of all he was a fantastic dad and loving husband."

Mrs Jones asked for privacy to mourn the family's "terrible loss".

He was the 98th British military fatality - at least the 65th as a result of hostile action - since the invasion in March 2003.

The blast happened while the soldiers were on a routine patrol in the north of the city.

Four other British soldiers were wounded in the attack, one of them seriously. They are being treated at the Shaiba field hospital outside Basra.

Major Steve Melbourne, British forces spokesman in Iraq, said the attack was the work of terrorists, not local insurgents.

He said: "These are very small groups that operate in the area. They cause serious risk to both ourselves and the local population of Basra."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that the MoD has confirmed the death of Sergeant John Jones in Basra on November 20 2005."

Sgt Jones' commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Simon Marr described him an "outstanding" soldier.

"'Jonah' Jones was a much loved and highly popular member of our Battalion, the First Fusiliers.

"Brimming with energy, a love of soldiering and an endearing sense of humour and compassion for his men, he will be sorely missed.

"Sergeant Jones was an outstanding soldier, a wonderful husband and a loving father, who always found time to speak to and encourage those around him.

"He had a smile for everyone. We are left remembering his drive, his courage, his humour and his typically understated contribution to the Battalion.

"We will never forget him. Our thoughts and prayers are now with his wife, Nickie, and his young son, Jack."

The soldier served in Iraq in 2003 and was thought to have arrived back in Iraq at the end of last month.

Lt Col Marr said: "In the short period of this tour, he and his patrol had already established an excellent rapport with the local population and he was enjoying the challenges of his role."

Sgt Jones joined the Army at the age of 16 and served in Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Kosovo.

Defence Secretary John Reid added his tribute.

He said: "I was very saddened to hear that a British soldier had died whilst performing his duty in Iraq.

"As always, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, and those of his fellow soldiers injured in this barbaric act of terrorism."

Nine British soldiers died in roadside bomb attacks over the summer.

British officials have accused Iran of supplying hitech devices used in the attacks, a charge denied by Tehran.