Funeral for Afghan blast soldier

Mourners threw flowers onto Trooper Pearson's funeral car

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a 22-year-old soldier from North East Lincolnshire who died while on duty in Afghanistan.

Trooper Robert Pearson, of Cleethorpes, was killed in a mine explosion near his vehicle in Helmand province in April.

Prince William was among the air crew who flew the soldier's body back to RAF Lyneham as he returned from a flying visit to Afghanistan.

The funeral service was held at St Mary's Church in Grimsby.

During the service crowds of Grimsby's residents stood in the grounds outside the church, many holding single flowers and pictures of Trooper Pearson.

Local primary school children lined the driveway and listened to the service, which was played out on loud speakers.

'Talent to watch'

The soldier, who had been with the Queen's Royal Lancers Regiment for just over a year, was providing security to a supply convoy when the explosion happened on 21 April.

He was taken to a field hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

His death was a double tragedy for his family after his mother Julie died in a road accident less than a year ago.

The soldier's mother died in a road accident a year earlier

Initially trained as a Scimitar light tank driver, Trooper Pearson switched to become an armoured vehicle driver ahead of his deployment to Afghanistan at the start of the year.

The soldier's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Nixon-Eckersall, read a bible passage at the service, while other soldiers paid tribute to their colleague, referring to him by his nickname Chesney, after a Coronation Street character.

Major Khashi Sharifi said Trooper Pearson loved being a soldier and had paid the "ultimate sacrifice".

He said: "Robert's role protected and saved the lives of his fellow soldiers on a daily basis. In short, his death was not in vain."

After the service, as the hearse and three funeral cars left the church for a private burial, the town's residents threw their flowers in the path of the procession and applauded in tribute to the soldier.

He leaves behind his father Paul, stepmother Gillian, and three sisters Terrie, Alex and Alivia.