Meridian Afghanistan

An inquest into the death of a soldier, whose family live in Kent, is due to take place today. Lance Corporal James Ashworth, who was 23, died while protecting the lives of his comrades in Afghanistan last year. In May, he was honoured with the Victoria Cross.

The Kent war artist, Graeme Lothian, has been shot and wounded by a Taliban sniper in Afghanistan. Graeme, from Sevenoaks, is a popular figure with the troops and has produced stunning work, illustrating the dangers faced by soldiers.

We spoke to Graeme's close friend, Dave Higgins, who said he was 'stunned', and anxiously seeking news about Graeme's condition.

A teenager, who fled Afghanistan when his father and brother were killed, has lost his appeal to be allowed to stay in this country. John Ryall reports.

A teenager temporarily saved from being sent back to Afghanistan has lost his appeal to be allowed to stay in the country. 19-year-old Najib Hashimi, who lives in Faversham in Kent, fled the country five years ago after his father and brother were killed.

Servicemen and women from Fourth Battalion the Rifles in Wiltshire, said goodbye to their loved ones just two weeks ago, and deployed to Afghanistan for a six month tour.

British forces are scheduled to withdraw next year, so the troops focus is now on supporting and training the Afghans. Sally Lockwood reports.

A new exhibition of work by a female war artist has just opened with pride of place given to a painting which honours a soldier from Brighton who died in Afghanistan.

Called "I am Strong', the painting was inspired by words from the last letter written by Corporal Sean Reeve. Richard Jones reports.

There are to be further investigations after a Kent soldier was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. Sapper Mark Antony Smith, who served with Maidstone's 3-6 Engineers, died in Helmand when a smoke shell fell short of its target.

But poor record-keeping by the MoD is being blamed for the inquest's inability to find out precisely why that happened. David Johns reports, speaking to Sapper Smith's mother, Helen Smith, and 36 Engineers' Captain Douglas Brain.

The family of Sapper Mark Smith, who was killed in a 'friendly fire' incident in Afghanistan when a mortar shell fell short of its target, has told ITV Meridian that they believe his death was 'preventable' and that the Ministry of Defence's investigation into the incident was 'flawed'.

Sapper Smith served with 36 Engineers in Kent.

Friends and family have been paying tribute to Sapper Mark Smith, from Kent, following an inquest into his death. Captain Douglas Brain was with him when he was hit by a mortar shell.