A Royal Marine has been killed in southern Iraq over the weekend.

Mne C.R. Maddison, of 40 Commando RM, based in Taunton, was killed in action during fighting near Basra yesterday. His next of kin have been informed.

Royal Marines are reported to be continuing ‘tidying-up’ operations on the outskirts of Basra, Iraq’s second biggest city, following fierce fighting over the weekend.

According to correspondents with troops in southern Iraq, the Royals, supported by other forces, fought throughout the day against an Iraqi stronghold in the village of Abu al-Qassib.

The assault on the village was said to have begun in the small hours of yesterday morning with an artillery barrage, after which the commandos moved in, supported by tanks and armoured vehicles.

By nightfall the troops were reported to have consolidated their positions, with the possibility of further operations this morning.

Meanwhile members of 3 Commando Brigade RM have been sifting through what would appear to be a chemical and biological training compound in the port of Umm Qasr.

Coalition forces found gas masks, protective suits and antidote injectors, which suggested the Iraqi forces were training to fight in conditions where chemical or biological weapons had been deployed.