A father from Leedstown was among the five UK service personnel who were killed when their helicopter came down in Afghanistan.

Corporal James "Bungle" Walters, from Leedstown, was serving with the Army Air Corps when the Lynx helicopter crashed in Kandahar province on Saturday morning.

Cpl Walters, 36, has been described as a “huge character” by his colleagues.

He leaves his wife Tracey and daughter Lainey, with his family saying the loss had left a “huge hole” in all their hearts.

In a statement released by the MoD today, his family said: "We cannot begin to comprehend the tragic loss of a beautiful and loving husband, daddy, son, and brother. James has left a huge hole in all our hearts."

His Commander for the deployed Lynx Detachment said of him: "Cpl James Walters was a loyal, dependable and extremely professional aviator who was a privilege to command. His quiet demeanour masked his extremely quick wit and he would regularly be at the centre of any debate; especially when the subject involved rugby or Cornwall.

"I was fortunate enough to have flown with Cpl Walters on numerous occasions back at Royal Air Force Odiham and his professionalism in the aircraft was unsurpassed. He was never found wanting and was always the first to volunteer he was liked and respected by all who knew him.

"It is fair to say that amongst Lynx aircrew in the Army Air Corps he was known and liked without exception. A professional soldier, a devoted father and a loving husband he will be missed by all.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Tracey, daughter Lainey and his family and friends at this difficult time."

An investigation has now begun into the reason for the crash, which also killed Cpl Walters’ colleagues Capt Thomas Clarke and Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner and Cpl James Walters, also of the Army Air Corps, together with RAF intelligence officer Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan and L/Cpl Oliver Thomas of the Intelligence Corps.

The MoD has said the crash appeared to have been a “tragic accident.”