Fallen soldier's sister graduates

Emma Ford said the course had been "emotionally difficult"

The sister of one of the youngest soldiers to be killed in Afghanistan spoke about her achievement as she graduated from an Army college.

Junior soldier Emma Ford spoke moments after taking part in a graduation parade at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

The 17-year-old's brother Ben, 18, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was killed in an explosion last September.

She said: "I wanted to make my brother proud and that's what I have done."

"That's all that this year has been about," she said.

'Very emotional'

Asked how hard the year-long course had been, she added: "Physically not that bad, but emotionally a bit difficult."

Vinnie Jones's son Aaron was among the 600 graduates

The teenager's mother Jane Ford said her daughter was "absolutely fantastic".

Emma took part in the rain-drenched ceremony alongside 600 other graduates, including the son of actor and former footballer Vinnie Jones.

Junior soldier Aaron Ellison-Jones will now join the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals - the regiment Prince Harry joined on his graduation from Sandhurst.

Vinnie Jones said the day had been "very emotional".

"I have done a few things in my life, but he's starting out in his, and it's probably bigger than anything I have ever achieved so I am very proud of him."

Aaron said taking part in the parade was a "fantastic feeling".

"It's a shame that it was raining... but then as soon as the band started playing in front of us and you start marching your morale just goes up straight away.

"All the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and your chin is raised and it's a fantastic feeling to be marching out in front of all these people."