Funeral for 'outstanding' marine

Corporal Elms was described as a "true man's man"

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a Royal Marine from Greater Manchester who was killed on patrol in Afghanistan on New Year's Eve.

Corporal Liam Elms, 26, died in an explosion in the Sangin district of Helmand province. He was in the 45 Commando Royal Marines.

He was buried with full military honours after a service at St Joseph's RC church in Wrightington.

His family said his proudest moment was receiving the green beret.

His parents, Michael and Maureen, and fiancee Jessica Deans, were joined by former and serving Royal Marines, wearing the famous green beret, friends and members of the public, who had gathered together to pay their last respects.

His father told mourners of the last time he heard from his son.

Tributes said Cpl Elms never flinched from dangerous tasks

"His last words were on Christmas Day, he said, 'Dad, don't worry. I'm where I want to be, doing what I want to do, with the people I want to be with'.

"God bless you son. See you on the other side."

Mr Elms said his son had achieved his life's ambitions, his proudest day was passing out as a Royal Marine, joining the ranks of the "Bootnecks" and receiving the famous green beret.

Among the tributes paid to him after his death, his commanding officers said: "He died leading his section from the front, doing the job he loved".

His coffin was carried into St Joseph's church to the Dire Straits song Brothers in Arms.

After the service, there was a gun salute as he was laid to rest in the churchyard.

He was the 137th British serviceman to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001.