A soldier who was killed in Afghanistan had dreamed of joining the Army since she was a schoolgirl, a teacher at her former school has said.

Corporal Channing Day, who served with the 3 Medical Regiment, died alongside Corporal David O'Connor, of 40 Commando, after being injured on patrol with C Company in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said.

The pair were overseeing the training of Afghan Local Police when their patrol came under fire near the village of Char Kutsa.

Royal Marine Cpl O'Connor, 27, and medic Cpl Day, 25, were fatally injured during the firefight, the MoD said.

Cpl Day grew up in Newtownards, County Down before joining the Army in 2005.

In a statement her family said: " Channing was bubbly, sporty, beautiful and lived her life for the Army. She has died doing what she lived for and in the life that she loved.

"She will be remembered by all who knew her as a wonderful girl who never stopped smiling and who had an infectious laugh.

"Lieutenant Colonel Phillip de Rouffignac, Commanding Officer, 3 Medical Regiment said Cpl Day was a "star for the future".

Cpl O'Connor, 27, lived with his mother in Havant, Hampshire.

A statement released by his family said: "David's family and friends are greatly saddened by his loss and hope to be left to grieve privately."