Funeral for Afghan blast officer

Colleagues carried Cpl Oakland's coffin into the building

The funeral of a Royal Military Police officer who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan has taken place.

Cpl James Oakland, 26, from New Moston, Manchester, was on foot patrol near Gereshk on 22 October when an improvised explosive device detonated.

Family and friends gathered for the service at Blackley Crematorium in Manchester earlier.

Many stood outside the building for the arrival of Cpl Oakland's coffin, which was draped in the Union flag.

Colleagues formed a guard of honour as the coffin was taken into the crematorium.

Known as "Jim" to his friends, Cpl Oakland had previously served on operations in Kosovo and Beirut

He had been clearing explosives in the area, after being sent two months earlier than originally planned, to replace a wounded colleague.

In a statement, his family said: "We are immensely proud of James, the person he was and the job that he did."