A 36-year-old former Kent man has been shot dead after coming to the aid of rafters in Uganda.

Steve Willis, who is reported to have originally come from Dartford, was killed as he drove the four men to recover equipment after they had run into fierce rapids on the River Nile.

The group was attacked by two rebels who fired shots into the group's Land Rover on Tuesday morning (Nov 8).

Mr Willis was killed in the ambush and two of the rafters were wounded.

A spokesman for the expedition, called Ascend the Nile, said: "The team was involved in an incident with rebels in Northern Uganda, which has resulted in the tragic death of a British man, Keith Steve Willis.

"The team are due to be reunited in Kampala later today (Nov 9). Their thoughts and concerns are with Steve Willis' family."

The British and New Zealander team had been attempting the first complete ascent of the Nile when they encountered some of the fiercest rapids in the Murchison Falls National Park.

Mr Willis, who was now living and working in Uganda, had volunteered to help the team in retrieving some of their equipment from the river banks.

When the rebels attacked the expedition team were forced to scatter into the surrounding bush.

Co-team leader Neil McGregor, reported to be from Hampshire, was injured in the attack along with New Zealander Garth MacIntyre.

Mr McGregor raised the alarm and the group were rescued by a helicopter and Ugandan soldiers.