The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has offered his prayers for the families of six British soldiers killed in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday.

The soldiers died when their armoured vehicle was caught in an explosion during a security patrol in Helmand province.

Five of the soldiers came from the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment and one from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

It is the single biggest British loss of life in Afghanistan since 2006 and brings the total number of British military deaths in the country since 2001 to 404.

Dr Sentamu said he was “very saddened” by news of the deaths.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these servicemen at this difficult time,” he said.

Prayers are said daily for the Yorkshire Regiment in the chapel of the Archbishop’s official residence, Bishopthorpe.

The Archbishop continued: “My heart goes out to those affected, we will continue to pray for you. We owe a debt of gratitude to our brave soldiers who are the best in the world.”

Speaking in Prime Ministers’ Questions, David Cameron said the deaths were “desperately sad”.

“Every death and every injury reminds us of the human cost paid by our armed forces to keep our country safe," he said.