Town comes to a standstill for funeral of hero who was family's 'Sunshine Boy'

Rifleman Aidan Howell, 19, who grew up in Leeds, was killed in an explosion near Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge in the Kajaki area of Helmand Province on December 28.

The teenager, who served with the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was on patrol when an improvised explosive device detonated.

Pouring rain failed to deter hundreds of mourners turning out in his home town of Desborough, Northants, for a full military funeral at St Giles's Church.

Speaking before the service, Major Chris Willis, of 3 Battalion The Rifles, said the teenager – known to his friends as "H" – was a sociable man who always had a smile on his face.

Rifleman Howell, a Leeds United fan, was born in Sidcup, Kent, and enlisted in the Army in 2006. He was selected to attend the Army Foundation College in Harrogate before completing his training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.

He joined C Company, 3 Rifles, based in Edinburgh in 2008.

Among the congregation were Rifleman Howell's parents, Christine and Stephen Howell, and his sister, Leann, 26.

The soldier's coffin, draped in a Union flag with his hat, medals, belt and a regimental wreath on top, was carried into the church by members of his battalion.

Extra space was made in the nearby community centre for mourners to listen to the service on loudspeakers.

In a touching tribute to her younger brother, Ms Howell said: "In our family Aidan was known as 'Sunshine Boy'.

"He got this nickname because, in Mum and Dad's eyes, whatever he did, right or wrong, the sun would shine. He was a breath of fresh air and could brighten up any dull day."

After the service, the coffin was carried out to Marching On Together – the anthem of Leeds United Football Club.

Soldier killed in afghan explosion

A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said last night.

The death of the soldier from A Company 4 Rifles, serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group, takes the toll of British dead in Afghanistan to 250 since the start of the campaign.

The soldier died as a result of an explosion near Sangin, in central Helmand Province, yesterday afternoon. Next of kin have been informed.