Widow collects hero soldier's VC

Lorena gave birth to Cpl Budd's second child a month after he died

The widow of a soldier who died saving seven comrades has collected the first posthumous Victoria Cross to be awarded since the Falklands war.

Corporal Bryan Budd, 29, of Ripon, North Yorkshire, was killed when he single-handedly stormed a Taleban position in Afghanistan in August.

Cpl Budd's widow, Lorena, 23, collected the honour from the Queen at a private ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

The Victoria Cross is the military's highest accolade.

Mrs Budd was joined by Cpl Budd's stepfather, Trevor Girdham, the paratrooper's sister Tracy and his brother Stephen.

She was also accompanied by Cpl Budd's comrades from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

Originally from Scunthorpe, Cpl Budd was the 20th UK serviceman to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001.

Cpl Budd had served in the Army for 10 years

Mrs Budd, a clerk with the Royal Artillery, said: "The award of the Victoria Cross recognises his conspicuous gallantry, inspirational leadership and supreme valour.

"Tragically, acting in the highest traditions of the Parachute Regiment, he made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down his life.

"However, he did so doing the job he loved serving in the regiment that meant so much to him."

Cpl Budd had a daughter aged two and Mrs Budd gave birth to their second child a month after he was killed.