Two British soldiers have died in Afghanistan after their armoured vehicle hit a roadside bomb.

The servicemen, from the 1st The Queen's Dragoons Guards, had been on a patrol providing security in the Yakchal region of Nahr-e Saraj, central Helmand province.

The families of the soldiers, who were serving with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, have been told of their deaths, the Ministry of Defence said.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lt Col Gordon Mackenzie said: "Our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of both these brave soldiers at this very difficult time."

A total of 344 British personnel have now been killed in action in Afghanistan.

The total number that have lost their life since operations began, including accidents and illnesses, is 388.

News of their deaths comes a day after Lance Corporal Peter Eustace, of 2nd Battalion the Rifles, was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED).

The 25-year-old, who was described as "one of those men you can completely rely on when things get tough", died in Nahr-e Saraj on Wednesday.

He was deployed to Afghanistan as a mortar fire controller with Delhi Company of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (1 YORKS), attached to Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North) in Helmand province.

Lance Corporal Eustace, known to his friends as Eust, leaves his mother Carole Ann, sister Kirsty, brother Ryan and his girlfriend Aimi.

In a statement, his family said: "Peter was very fit and he always wanted to join the Army, he was committed to carrying out a full career there.

"He will be missed by his family and friends and is loved by all.

"Peter was a loving son and grandson and will be especially missed by his girlfriend, Aimi. He will also be missed by loving dog Macey."

L/Cpl Eustace, from Liverpool, worked briefly as a painter and decorator before joining the Army in late 2004.

He was deployed to southern Iraq in 2006-07 and served in the Sangin district of northern Helmand in 2009.

He returned to Afghanistan last month as a mortar fire controller with Delhi Company of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

Major Spiro Marcandonatos, the company's commanding officer, described L/Cpl Eustace as an "upstanding and fiercely loyal individual".

He said: "A lively character, he served us extremely well from the moment we were first introduced and his experience was vital to the company, hitting the ground running and taking the fight to the Taliban. He will be sorely missed."

Lieutenant Colonel Bill Wright MBE, Commanding Officer 2 RIFLES, said of L/Cpl Eustace was "utterly professional" and "dedicated to his fellow Riflemen".

"Full of an irreverent sense of humour no one, not even the Commanding Officer, was safe from his endless banter," he said.

"He will be sorely missed by all, particularly the Mortar Platoon and his fellow chosen men in the Corporals' Mess.

"Their parties will be far quieter without him. All our thoughts and heartfelt best wishes are with his family and friends at this tragic time. A true Rifleman - Swift and Bold."