A heartbroken grandmother has paid tribute to her “perfect” grandson who was killed while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.

Anthony Hotine, 21, was carrying out a joint reassurance patrol with the Afghan National Army in the Sangin district of Helmand when he was fatally injured in a roadside explosion.

“He was fun-loving, the life and soul of any party and was never down. He was just perfect,” said his grandmother Carol Smith, of Shortbank Road, Skipton.

“He never caused any trouble and everybody loved him. His death has broken so many hearts.”

Anthony – known as Tino – was serving with Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, and was on his second operational tour to Afghanistan. He last visited Skipton when his first tour ended in May 2009 and was keen to get back to work.

“It was something he had always wanted to do and he absolutely loved it.

“He was already looking forward to a third tour to Afghanistan,” said Carol. “He was a fantastic young man.”

Anthony lived in Warminster with his dad Neil, a former sergeant major, his Skipton-born mum Nicola, a former Skipton Girls’ High School pupil, and brothers Kieran, 17, who is due to join the Army in October, and Callum, 12.

In a family statement, they said: “We are so proud of Anthony. He lived and breathed the Royal Marines and was a ‘Bootneck’ through and through. Words cannot describe the devastating loss felt across the family.

“He was an amazing son, big brother and grandson. We are so lucky to have had him in our lives and he will always be part of us.”

Further tributes have been paid by colleagues.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul James, commanding officer, 40 Commando Group, Combined Force, Sangin, said: “Anthony Hotine was a brilliant young man who was at the height of his profession: bright, selfless, dedicated and keen-spirited. He was an outstanding young Marine.

“An ambitious character who always had a plan, he strove for greatness, both in his life and in his work and invariably achieved it. He had an infectious wit, a sharp mind and a big and generous heart.”

Major Sean Brady, officer commanding Alpha Company, said: “Professiona-lism matters in the Royal Marines – it was what we are all judged on first and foremost, and I have no qualms about saying Tino was one of the best I have worked with.

“Moreover, it is impossible to doubt his courage. He knew the dangers involved in operating here and he willingly accepted them on a daily basis, but importantly he did so whilst retaining his sense of humour and generosity towards others.”

In Skipton, a minute’s silence in memory of Anthony was held at the Working Men’s Club, where Carol and her husband George are members, and at the town’s White Rose Club, where the Royal British Legion meets.