THE worried parents of a Worcester Royal Marine have learnt that their son was not one of eight British troops killed in a helicopter crash.

Mike and Jean Kerslake feared the worst when news broke that commandos from their son Martin's brigade had died when a Sea Knight helicopter crashed in Kuwait on Friday.

"The next of kin have now all been notified, so we can safely assume he wasn't involved," said Mrs Kerslake, of Willersea Road, Claines.

"We haven't heard from him and I don't think we will for the time."

Mrs Kerslake said the family was incredibly relieved.

The 26-year-old joined the Royal Marines in July and is serving in the Gulf with 3 Commando Brigade.

He had studied at Bishop Perowne CE High School and Worcester Sixth Form College, and had played professional rugby before joining the military.

"We're very proud of him," said Mr Kerslake earlier.

"We're fully behind him and he's had the best training in the world."

Lt Col Ben Curry, a Royal Marines spokesman in Kuwait, said there was no evidence that the Sea Knight Helicopter crashed due to enemy fire.

The American crew of four also died in the tragedy.

The helicopter had taken part in a mission to capture an oil pumping station and pipeline in the strategically-important Al Faw peninsula.