THE family of a soldier killed in Afghanistan said last night that their son had been proud to fight there.

Sergeant Stuart "Gus" Miller, 40, died alongside Private Kevin Elliot in an explosion in southern Helmand.

At the family home in Inverness, Stuart's dad Gus Sr. said: "We're very proud of what he did. He was proud of the regiment and he was proud to serve his country.

"They believed in doing the job that they were there to do and they took it seriously."

Stuart and Kevin both served with the Black Watch. They died in an explosion while on foot patrol on Monday.

Former train driver Stuart was married to Jillian. They lived in Inverness with daughter Grace, two.

Stuart joined the Army in 2000 and also served in Iraq, Northern Ireland, the Falklands and Cyprus.