Funeral for blast death soldier

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Cpl Jason Barnes died when the ambulance he was driving hit a bomb

The funeral of a British soldier killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb as he drove an ambulance has taken place.

Corporal Jason Barnes, originally from Exeter in Devon, had been helping evacuate a fellow serviceman when the device detonated on 22 July.

The 25-year-old was hailed for his bravery by colleagues in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Cpl Barnes' funeral was held at St Peter's Church, in Colchester, where he lived with his wife Diane.

Leaning against his coffin as it was driven to church were individual floral letters that formed the words "sexy pants".

They were accompanied by a note from Mrs Barnes, which said: "Sexy pants, a wonderful husband, my best friend, my soul mate. We laughed, cried and shared everything together.

'My hero'

"I miss you more than words can say. My love for you will never die.

"You are my hero. Love you always, Diana xxx. Baby sleep tight."

After the service, the funeral cortege passed through the town's Hogh Street accompanied by a flypast by two Lynx Army helicopters from 657 Squadron, Army Air Corps, based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, where Cpl Barnes had been stationed.

After his death, Maj Grant Haywood said: "He died as he lived, placing others first and doing what he wanted to do, so well, without fear or complaint.

"He will be truly missed by all here and our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends."