THE Prime Minister has paid  tribute to fallen soldier  Mark  Marshall, who was killed in  Afghanistan.

Gordon Brown described the  29-year-old serviceman, who was  also a Police Community Support Officer in Exeter, as a  “hero” who had shown “incredible bravery”.

The Territorial Army solider,  of 6th Battalion The Rifles based  at Wyvern Barracks in Exeter,  was killed in an explosion while  on a routine foot patrol near Forward Operating Base Inkerman  in Helmand province earlier this  month.

He was named along with six  other soldiers in tributes from  political  leaders during Prime  Minister’s Questions yesterday.

Mr Brown said: “Let me make  another tribute to our troops.

“They all worked with incredible bravery, with fortitude and  with dedication to defeat those  that will bring terrorism to the  streets of Britain by denying the  terrorists both land and support,  by offering the population of Helmand and of Afghanistan a more  secure and more prosperous future.

“I know the house will join me  in offering tribute to the seven  soldiers who lost their lives since  the house last met.

“These were men of exceptional bravery, of great coverage and  great skill whose loss will be  deeply felt.

“Each and every one is a hero  dedicated to their colleagues and  to their mission.

“We send our profound condolences to their families and  loved ones.”

And in the city, councillors  held an emotional one-minute silence for Rifleman Marshall at a  full council meeting at the Guildhall on Tuesday.

Messages of condolence  flooded into the Echo following  news of Rifleman Marshall’s  death.

And during his repatriation  back to the UK last week, his  family, including mother Lynn  and girlfriend Hayley, gave an  emotional tribute. They said:  “Sharing all your amazing and  wonderful memories of Mark  has given us overwhelming support and made us even more  aware of how loved and respected Mark was. He will be  missed.”

Leader of the opposition, David Cameron told MPs that the  country was paying a “high  price” for the war in Afghanistan.

He said: “Can I first of all join  the Prime Minister in paying  tribute to the seven servicemen  who have been killed in Afghanistan since the last time that  we met.

“We are paying a high price for  the operations we are undertaking in Helmand but it is an essential mission and our forces  and their families need to know  they have the support of the  whole house and the whole country in the work that they are  doing.”

Liberal Democrat leader Nick  Clegg said: “I would like to add  my own expressions of sympathy  and condolence to the families  and friends of the seven brave  soldiers who tragically lost their  lives serving so selflessly, so professionally in Afghanistan since  the house last sat.

“We all owe them and their  families an eternal debt and gratitude.”

Rifleman Marshall’s funeral is  expected to take place early next  month.