A solider who died in France is from the North East, the Army has confirmed.
Lance Corporal Darren Jones, of the Royal Engineers, is believed to have got into difficulty while swimming in a canal near Pegasus Bridge in Normandy over the weekend.
The 30-year-old was in the country as part of the team assisting in the 75th anniversary commemorations for D-Day.
An Army spokesperson confirmed the L/Cpl Jones is from the North East but could not give an exact area, although it is believed he is from County Durham.
The spokesperson added: "It is with sadness that we must confirm the death of a service person in France.
"Our thoughts are with their family at this difficult time."
The incident is thought to have happened either late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning during down-time.
A post-mortem examination is yet to be carried out.
French police are understood to be investigating and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
A series of events in Normandy will be held in the coming days to mark the anniversary of the landings, described as "undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult" ever by then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Figures including British royalty, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May will travel to France for the commemorations.
Pegasus Bridge was liberated from the Nazis by Allied troops, and is named after the winged horse insignia of the British 6th Airborne Division.
