Funeral service for Scots soldier

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral in Ayrshire

A funeral service for a Scottish soldier killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan has heard him described as "an exceptional man".

Corporal Barry Dempsey, of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, died in August when an improvised explosive device was detonated as he left his vehicle.

About 300 mourners packed Annbank Parish Church in his home village of Mossblown in Ayrshire.

The 29-year-old leaves behind a wife and two children.

The Army medic's coffin, draped in a Union flag, was carried by bearers from his battalion past a guard of honour into the church.

During the service, Corporal Sammy Parker, who served with Cpl Dempsey, remembered the comrade he had served with for a decade.

He said: "He was an exceptional man who died doing an exceptional job. He will be greatly missed as a soldier and a friend, a brother and son, and of course a husband and father."

The Rev David Ness, who presided over the wedding of Cpl Dempsey and his wife, conducted the service and also paid tribute to the soldier.

The minister said: "He died doing what he always did - helping someone out. He died a real hero."