A British soldier who died in southern Afghanistan has been remembered as the “toughest of men and the gentlest of friends”.

Serjeant Phillip Scott, 30, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed by an improvised explosive device near Sangin in Helmand Province yesterday morning. He leaves behind his widow, Ellen, and children Ellie, three, and Michael, one.

Sjt Scott, who lived with his family in Edinburgh, was deployed to Afghanistan in September alongside his brother Robin, also a serjeant in 3 Rifles.

Known as Scotty to his friends, the soldier was born in Malton, North Yorkshire, in 1979 and joined the Army in 2001.

He served in Iraq and Northern Ireland before being posted to the infantry training centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire, as an instructor for new recruits.

Sjt Scott had hoped to join the Special Forces after his tour of Afghanistan, and his superior officers said this was “entirely within his abilities”.

His wife said: “My husband was a very brave man, loved by all his family and a very dear husband and father.”

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, commanding officer of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said he had lost one of his best junior commanders.

“Serjeant Scott was the most professional of soldiers, the toughest of men and the gentlest of friends,” he said.

“He was an inspiration to all and a mentor to those he led in training and on the field of battle.”