The Sunderland Royal Marine was killed while providing fire support to comrades under attack in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

>> Leave your tribute to Tony here

The 20-year-old's devastated parents, Tony Evans and Julia Churchill, said they were "very proud of their son and will miss him dearly".

An online tribute has been set up by Marine Evans' cousin Danny King.

"Tony was the best cousin a lad could ever ask for," said the 16-year-old.

"He was always there for everyone and always looked after us all.

"He died doing what he loved to do the most and we are all very proud of him."

His sister Demii Evans said: "Tony you are really the best brother anyone could possibly wish for.

"You were always making me and others laugh you had a mint personality.

"Am still not used to the fact that your gone. I will never forget you, nor will anyone else.

"Remember you will always be in our hearts mate. Your funeral soon you're having a real good military send off."

She added: "Such a waste of a good lad - everyone's devastated."

Marine Evans' auntie Linda Fisken wrote: "Tony my beautiful and gorgeous nephew, no words can describe the pain that we are feeling right now, losing you is the hardest thing we have ever had to face.

"From the day you were born you were a fighter and as tough as ever, the memories we have of you will be held in our hearts for all eternity and we will never let them go.

"Tony I hope you know how proud we all are of you and all the other lads out there who are fighting so that we can live in the world we are in today, cos if it wasn't for the likes of you this world wouldn't be worth living in."

She added: "For the rest of my life I will never stop telling people how proud we are and how having you for a nephew was something to treasure forever.

"Your smile could light up the whole room and you could make anyone laugh.

"Tony we miss you babe our hearts are breaking, and we only wish we could see you one last time to tell you we love you babe and to kiss your beautiful face."

Among the other messages left on the gonetoosoon website was one on behalf of Sunderland Sea Cadets, to their "hero" former colleague, who became a Marine Cadet when he was 13.

Tony Evans joined 42 Commando Royal Marines in July last year.

His body, and that of J Company comrade Georgie Sparks, 19, from Essex - who died alongside him in Afghanistan on Thursday - was due to be flown back to Britain today.