Three British soldiers have been killed by a man dressed in an Afghan police uniform at a checkpoint in Helmand Province.

Two of the soldiers were serving with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and one was serving with the Royal Corps of Signals.

The Ministry of Defence said in a statement: "The soldiers were serving in an Afghan Police Advisory Team and had been to the check point to conduct a shura. On leaving, they were engaged by small arms fire by a man wearing an Afghan Police uniform.

"During this exchange of fire the three soldiers were wounded and despite receiving first aid at the scene, they died of their injuries."

The spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Major Ian Lawrence, said: "Their loss will be felt deeply across Task Force Helmand.

"However, this will be nothing compared to the grief experienced by the soldiers’ families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this extremely difficult time."

The soldiers’ families have been informed and have asked for a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released.