THERE was a sting in the tail for a Boston soldier as he was attacked by a different kind of enemy in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Nick Dunmore was stung by a Death Stalker scorpion – regarded as the world's most deadly eight-legged predatory bug.

The attack was so serious that the 39-year-old, who serves with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was flown straight to the hospital at Camp Bastion for treatment.

It took him a few days to recover and return to his unit, but Nick said: "I've never felt pain like it. I was in such agony."

The armourer and gun fitter is currently attached to 4th Regiment Royal Artillery in central Helmand.

He provides equipment support to Cutler Troop, 97 Battery, which is made up of gunners from Britain and Australia, at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Budwan. They share the camp with the Afghan National Army and the Dutch.

Having joined the Army in 1998, Nick said he wanted "a career, a trade and qualifications". Although this is his first tour in Afghanistan, Nick has also served in Iraq and Northern Ireland.

He said: "I'm enjoying it here. It's much better to be out here than back with the rear echelon. It's a lot closer to the front line than I have ever been before."

Now halfway through his six-month deployment, the keen scuba diver and tug-of-war coach is looking forward to being reunited with wife Fiona and 13-year-old daughter Brogan in October.

The family lives in Boston, as do his parents Jeff and Rita.

Nick said: "I miss my family and football, especially matches played by Boston United. They got promoted while I was out here. I just managed to catch extra time. It was very exciting."