A DOG handler and his springer spaniel, who died within hours of each other in Afghanistan, are to be flown home to Britain together.

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker was shot dead on Tuesday while the pair were on patrol in southern Helmand province.

His spaniel Theo died of a seizure shortly afterwards.

The Ministry of Defence said on Friday the 22-month-old dog's ashes would be brought back to Britain on the same flight.

“A dog can not be repatriated, but they will be returned to the UK on the same day, in the same plane,” a defence spokesman said.

They will be flown into Lyneham on Thursday and repatriation in Wootton Bassett is likely to take place at 4pm.