AN HEROIC army explosives expert from Cornwall was killed in Afghanistan after cheating death in a bomb blast just three months ago.

Captain Daniel Read, 31, from Cornwall, died after he was caught up in an explosion in the Musa Qaleh area of northern Helmand province on Monday.

He had overcome the injuries he suffered in the first explosion in October before taking his place once again on the frontline.

Capt Read, of St Columb Road, near St Austell, was from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, part of the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Task Force.

His devastated widow Lorraine, known as Lou, said: "Dan was so brave, he was my hero and best friend, he was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend.

"He will never be forgotten and always in my heart. I'm so proud and privileged to have been his wife."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown last night said in a statement in the Commons that Capt Read had died undertaking the dangerous work of protecting his fellow soldiers and civilians from explosive devices. Mr Brown said: "The courage and selflessness of this work is truly breathtaking. His sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we send our sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Capt Read, who also left parents and sisters, was in the same counter-explosives team as Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, the explosives expert from Truro killed by an improvised explosive device blast in October.

They knew each other well, and Capt Read and his wife had attended S/Sgt Schmid's funeral at Truro Cathedral in November.

Capt Read's death was the second this year and the 247th British fatality since the conflict began in 2001.

He was described as an experienced operator who had dealt with 32 IEDs.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "Hearing about Captain Read, I am filled with admiration for his sense of duty and courage."

Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex, commanding officer of 11 EOD Regiment, said: "Dan Read was filled with a zest for life, and I found him instantly likeable when I first met him in November 2008.

"He epitomised the values of selfless commitment, loyalty and deep-seated courage.

"Such was his professionalism and determination that even an injury sustained in a bomb blast in October 2009 could not keep him away for more than two months and he returned to theatre in December 2009 as soon as his injuries were healed.

"His return after injury is but one example that could be used to illustrate Dan's tremendous physical and mental courage, but for those who knew him you simply had to see the cheeky grin, or hear him say 'no dramas' in the face of a daunting task to know that nothing could faze him. A natural leader, Dan was well respected and held in deep affection by his men.

"He made the ultimate sacrifice but his actions have saved countless numbers of the lives of both his fellow soldiers and the Afghans whom he fought to protect. I am proud and honoured to have been the commanding officer of a man of Dan's calibre."

Other similar glowing tributes were given by Major Tim Gould QGM RLC, Officer Commanding Joint Force EOD Group; Captain Gareth Bateman RE, Second-in-Command Joint Force EOD Group; Corporal Dan King; Corporal Andy Stockdale and Private Stephan Cross, IEDD 6 'Team Illume', as well as many touching tributes left by readers on the Western Morning News' website.

One read: "Lou, words cannot express how we are feeling at this time... You should be so proud of him and he was too well loved to ever be forgotten.

"You are not alone. Love Lee, Julia & Boys xxxx."