A YOUNG soldier from Monmouthshire has become the 200th to die fighting for his country in war-torn Afghanistan.

Today family and friends of fallen young hero Private Richard Hunt from Penpergwym paid moving tribute to the brave soldier who "enjoyed life" and "will always be loved."

Private Hunt, 21, was in the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and tragically became the 200th solider to die fighting for his country in Afghanistan.

He died at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Selly Oak on Saturday, from wounds sustained in Helmand province two days before.

Friends James Cunningham and Hywel Matthews said joining the Army was something Private Hunt had always wanted to do and he had recently accomplished his dream of completing sniper training at Brecon.

James said, "Before going to Afghanistan Richard had just qualified to be sniper - it was his dream to fire to a rifle."

Hywel added, "He always stood his ground and stood up for what he believed in. He was a popular person with a lot of friends."

Private Hunt had been in Afghanistan for just three weeks when he was wounded as a result of an explosion while on vehicle patrol near Musa Qaleh in Helmand province on the morning of August 13.

Friend James said one his favourite memories of the soldier is of his love for his dog Isobel.

"He loved that dog. We had many good times walking Isobel up the Sugar Loaf and the Blorenge. We had so many good times." His friends said their friend liked the outdoors, was very active and before joining the Army had worked at Llangorse Rope Centre.

Private Hunt joined the Army in September 2007, during his training at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick. He was awarded the Physical Training Prize and was was immensely proud to be both an infanteer and a member of the Royal Welsh.

The former King Henry VIII school student, was part of a vehicle patrol from A Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh who are working to extend and enforce the writ of the Government of Afghanistan.

Private Hunt lived with his parents Hazel and Phillip Hunt at the family farm in Penpergwm.

They paid tribute to their son, "Richard showed us all his strength of character in many ways, proving to be thoughtful, vain and yet selfless to the end. He proved to us to be a loving son, brother and uncle at all times."

His friends said, "He will be missed."