THE deaths of three reservists on an SAS selection march, including James Dunsby, from Wiltshire, were unacceptable, says the armed forces minister.

Military chiefs have been ordered to carry out two inquiries after the deaths of three men on the Brecon Beacons in 2013.

Cpl James Dunsby, from Trowbridge who served with Swindon-based A Squadron The Royal Yeomanry, L/Cpl Edward Maher and L/Cpl Craig Roberts died as a result of neglect on the 16-mile march.

The inquiries will see if safety lessons have been learned and look at support given to the men's families.

Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt has responded to concerns raised by the coroner Louise Hunt at an inquest in Solihull earlier this year.

She has written to the coroner, saying "we fully recognise how important it is that we learn all possible lessons to ensure that deaths under similar circumstances in the future can be prevented".

Ms Mordaunt added: "We are also committed to supporting our servicemen and their families and we recognise fully that it is unacceptable to lose three soldiers in such circumstances".

Cpl Dunsby, L/Cpl Roberts, from Penrhyn Bay, Conwy, and L/Cpl Maher, of Winchester, carrying 50lbs (22kg) of equipment, were on course to complete the march within the time limit but were found in three separate locations at different times.

All three men suffered the effects of hyperthermia - abnormally high body heat.

Ms Hunt said a failure of basic medical care contributed to their deaths.

Ms Mordaunt has also told the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to review the training needs of the reservist units involved in the march on one of the hottest days of 2013.

An inquest into the deaths of the three heard that had organisers followed the MoD's code of practice, the march would have been cancelled after two other men were withdrawn from the exercise due to heat sickness.