A CORONER raised “concerns'” about mine clearance after Ferndown Royal Marine John Thornton was killed by a makeshift explosive device that two metal detectors failed to find.

Lieutenant Thornton, 22, and Marine David Marsh, 23, of Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton, both of 40 Commando, died of blast wounds near Kajaki, Afghanistan, on March 30 last year.

Wiltshire Coroner David Masters ruled that the pair were unlawfully killed by unknown insurgents who planted the 7.5kg device that destroyed their combat Land Rover.

Mr Masters said he was “concerned” that training on the metal detecting equipment was largely theoretical before troops got to the warzone.

The coroner added both metal detectors were in working order and there was no “certain cause” for the mine not being found, and he did not recommend changes to military procedure.

Company commander Major Duncan Manning told the inquest he was “entirely satisfied” with the level of training.

The family sat through the inquest and father Peter Thornton said afterwards: “Apart from his death and the funeral, it was the most harrowing experience I have ever had.

“We had heard 99 per cent of the details before. Some of the medical details were left out and we were grateful for that.

“The coroner’s concern is justified provided it’s taken with the evidence that it was better to have the detectors in theatre rather than almost wasted back here.”