Hundreds of soldiers, friends and family attended the service for Trooper Robert Pearson, 22, of Grimsby, who was killed in Helmand province on April 21.

During the service crowds stood in the grounds of St Mary's church, many holding single flowers and pictures of Trooper Pearson. Primary school children lined the driveway and listened as the service was played over loudspeakers.

The soldier, of the Queen's Royal Lancers, was driving an armoured vehicle protecting a re-supply convoy returning from the town of Gereshk when the blast happened.

Trooper Pearson's body was repatriated to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire last week after being flown back by Prince William as he returned from a secret flying visit to Afghanistan.

The future king met relatives of Trooper Pearson and was said to be "honoured" to be part of the aircrew repatriating his body.

Yesterday around 250 uniformed soldiers of the Queen's Royal Lancers arrived at the church in five coaches.

Six soldiers formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the church while a further six acted as pall bearers for Trooper Pearson's coffin, which was draped with a Union Flag.

The young soldier's tearful family followed the coffin into the church for the service conducted by the parish priest and the chaplain to the Queen's Royal Lancers.

Trooper Pearson's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Nixon-Eckersall, read a Bible passage while other soldiers paid tribute to their colleague.