A 19-YEAR-OLD British soldier has been stabbed to death in a nightclub within part of a Cyprus tourist resort declared off-limits to servicemen.

David Lee Collins of 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, died in hospital after being stabbed in the chest during a dispute with British tourists in Ayia Napa.

There were questions over why Mr Collins was at the venue, which is in an area from which the Army has banned its personnel for many years.

The ban followed tensions between troops and the local community following the rape and murder of a Danish woman by British troops in 1994.

Police spokesman Georgios Economou said four off-duty soldiers and three British holidaymakers had been involved in the fight in the early hours of yesterday morning.

He said: "At around 3.30am, while a group of British soldiers from Dhekelia garrison were enjoying themselves at a club in Ayia Napa, they had a confrontation with three of their compatriots. During the confrontation one of the three drew what is believed to be a knife, injuring the soldier in the chest."

Mr Collins, whose rank has not been revealed, was taken to Famagusta General Hospital in Paralimni.

A knife has been recovered and is undergoing forensic tests, and the three arrested Britons are expected to appear in court today.

About 3000 British military personnel are stationed on the Eastern Mediterranean island on two bases.

Military spokeswoman Connie Pierce said soldiers had been barred from all clubs and bars in the town centre after the rape and murder of tour guide Louise Jensen by British servicemen in 1994.

Three British soldiers were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder but they were freed on appeal in 2006, and tensions remain between local people and the Army.

In 2008, nine British soldiers went on trial accused of trashing a pub and beating up its owner during a mass bar brawl on the island. The servicemen, who were celebrating finishing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan and coming home to the UK, were all acquitted.

In 2009 the ban was partially lifted, allowing troops to visit the bar-filled square during daylight hours only.

British military police continue to patrol the resort, which remains the island's most popular area with young holidaymakers, at night.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "It is with great sadness the MoD must confirm that a soldier from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has died in an incident in Cyprus.

"An investigation is being conducted by Cyprus police and it would be inappropriate to comment any further. The family has been informed and our thoughts are with them."

A Foreign Office spokesman is providing consular assistance to the trio of arrested British nationals.

The Army has a presence on Cyprus as part of a treaty signed after the island gained independence from colonial rule in 1960.

The Fusiliers, a two-battalion infantry regiment, normally only recruit from England and their 600 officers and soldiers have served in every major campaign dating back to 1674.

They are currently based in Trenchard barracks in northern Germany, but are training in preparation for operations in 2013, when they will be based in Cyprus.