INQUESTS into the death of two soldiers who died in Afghanistan are to be held today (Wednesday) in Hatfield.

The Hertfordshire coroner will lead the hearing into the deaths of corporals Matthew and Christopher Harrison.

Matthew Harrison died in Helmand Province the day before his 24th birthday last July of a gunshot wound to the liver.

Christopher Harrison died in Sangin while on foot patrol, last May aged 26. He died due to blast injuries from an explosion.

The men, who were not related, were both Royal Marines in the 40th Commando.

* Since 2007 inquests into the death of service personnel are under the jurisdiction of the Wiltshire and Swindon coroner as soldiers are repatriated via RAF Lyneham.

However, jurisdiction can be transferred to the coroner responsible for where the men are buried, as in these cases.

These will be the first inquests held at Hatfield in relation to the Afghanistan conflict.

The hearings take place from 10am today.