A British soldier assisting with D-Day commemorations has drowned in France.

It is understood Lance Corporal Darren Jones, of the Royal Engineers, got into difficulty while swimming in a canal near Pegasus Bridge in Normandy at the weekend.

The 30-year-old was in the country as part of the team assisting in 75th anniversary commemorations for D-Day.

An Army spokeswoman said: “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.”

In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary MoD handout photo of an aerial view of Gold Beach on D-Day, 1944 PA In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary A Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron being prepared for a mission over Normandy as part of Operation Overlord PA In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary Reconnaissance photos of the D-Day beaches in France by RAF Tornados (top) and the original photos from 1944 (bottom), recreated in a bid to highlight the meticulous planning behind the landings PA In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary MoD handout photo of an aerial view of Omaha Beach on D-Day, 1944 PA In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary An aerial view of Sword Beach on D-Day, 1944, as two British jets recreated reconnaissance photos of the D-Day beaches in France in a bid to highlight the meticulous planning behind the landings PA In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary Undated MoD handout photo of II (AC) Sqn Mustang in flight PA In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary MoD handout photo of one of two RAF Tornados which recreated reconnaissance photos of the D-Day beaches in France in a bid to highlight the meticulous planning behind the landings PA In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary French Air Force pilot Commadant Stephane Peubez (right) and Officer Commanding II (Army-Co-Operation) Squadron, Wing Commander Jez Holmes (left) debriefing their flight over the D-Day beaches PA In pictures: Extraordinary aerial D-Day photographs recreated D-Day 70th Anniversary MoD handout photo of French Air Force pilot Commadant Stephane Peubez (left) and Officer Commanding II (Army-Co-Operation) Squadron, Wing Commander Jez Holmes (right) in front of the Tornado they flew over the D-Day beaches PA

The incident is thought to have happened 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 Second World War landings on 6 June 1944, described as “undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult” ever by then-British 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.