Son, 10, comforts mother at funeral of blast-death father

Serjeant Steven Campbell's home village of Pelton, County Durham, came to a standstill as hundreds of people paid their tribute.

Among them was Colonel Ted Shields, who before the service said: "Whenever the going got tough, Stevie Campbell was there with a smile on his face."

The 30-year-old, serving with the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed by an improvised explosive device which detonated while he was patrolling around two miles south of Sangin district centre on March 22.

His son Brandon, dressed in camouflage gear, followed the cortege and supported his mother Lisa as they walked behind the coffin into the Holy Trinity Church as bright sunshine shone down on the pretty churchyard.

Well-wishers applauded the coffin and people threw flowers onto the hearse as it passed on its way to the church.

Police motorbike riders with blue lights flashing came ahead of the hearse and the crowds lining the route became hushed.

Veterans from the Royal British Legion who lined up outside lowered their colours as the coffin was carried out of the vehicle.

Among the tributes were the words "Campbell" and "Son" spelled out in flowers.

During the service, comrades paid tribute to his humour, his love of his football team Newcastle United, and for his family.

During the service, friend Corporal Ryan Portman said Sjt Campbell had served in Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

"He was a magnificent soldier and very experienced," he said. "As a leader there was no-one better."

Cpl Portman said his comrade's gap-toothed smile raised morale wherever he went.

The hour-long service included the hymns The Old Rugged Cross and Jerusalem.

After the Last Post and the Reveille were sounded, mourners filed out to the sound of To The Moon And Back by the band Savage Garden.

The dead soldier's parents Linda and Steven comforted each other as they left, while his brother Stuart, 27, wept.

Sjt Campbell's widow Lisa walked behind the coffin, accompanied by Brandon who wore a dark green beret with his uniform.

The crowd applauded once more when the cortege slowly moved off on the way to a private cremation.