TRIBUTES have been paid to a soldier from Dumfries and Galloway who has died while on a training exercise on the hottest day of the year.

The soldier, named locally as Josh Hoole, from Ecclefechan near Lockerbie, was a member of The Rifles.

The 26-year-old died yesterday while he was on pre-course training for the Platoon Sergeants' Battle Course, which is described as "both mentally and physically demanding".

His grandfather, John Craig, said: "He was a beautiful grandson.

"He was a dedicated soldier. He always wanted to be top dog. He was a superfit boy, he kept very fit."

Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures peaking just above 30C (86F) in Brecon.

The Met Office said the temperature in the early hours was already climbing above 17C (62.6F) in that area.

Corporal Hoole, who was based at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire, had done two tours of Afghanistan and been to Iraq.

Paying tribute to his grandson, Mr Craig said: "He visited me regularly, every chance he got. I took a bottle of whisky to him on the 12th of July for his 26th birthday."

Defence minister Mike Penning said: "The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and, while deaths in training are rare, any death is a tragedy.

"As well as a police investigation, a service inquiry will take place.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the soldier's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time."

Two ambulances and an air ambulance were called to the training centre shortly before 9am on Tuesday.

Dyfed-Powys Police said they are "working closely with the Ministry of Defence in relation to this sudden death".

The Health and Safety Executive has also been informed.

A spokeswoman said: "Dyfed-Powys Police are leading the initial inquiries into the soldier's death and HSE will not speculate at this stage on the exact circumstances of this fatal incident."

The Platoon Sergeants' Battle Course is taken by infantry soldiers who want to progress to the rank of sergeant.

The course is run three times a year, with the next one set to take place in August.

Corporal Hoole's death follows those of three soldiers who were taking part in an SAS training exercise in the Brecon Beacons on one of the hottest days of 2013.

Lance Corporals Edward Maher and Craig Roberts were pronounced dead on the Brecon Beacons after suffering heatstroke during a 16-mile (26km) SAS test march three years ago.

Corporal James Dunsby died from multiple organ failure in Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital more than two weeks later.

A coroner ruled that neglect played a part in their deaths.