A FUNERAL with full military honours is to be given to a soldier who died in a suspected hit and run crash in Greece.

Lance Bombardier Brett Walmsley, aged 25, of Greenway Street, Darwen, was killed on a country road in Halkidiki early on Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle.

A 22-year-old local man thought to be the driver has been arrested by Greek police in connection with the death.

A service will be held at St Cuthbert's in Blackburn Road, Darwen, at noon on Tuesday, July 24, followed by a committal at Pleasington Crematorium.

Marco Lysiuk, proprietor of Darwen Funeral Services, spoke on behalf Brett's parents Stuart and Olwen, brothers Stuart, aged 30, and Tony, aged 19 and sister Vicky, aged 23.

Mr Lysiuk said: "It will be a full military-honoured funeral. The family have requested no flowers apart from family flowers and that any donations be sent to The Army Benevolent Fund care of Darwen Funeral Services."

Mr Lysiuk said it was hoped the body of Brett, a member of the 47th Royal Artillery regiment since 2004, would be flown back to the UK tomorrow.

The former Darwen Moorland pupil had volunteered for deployment to Kosovo where he been working with NATO peacekeepers and was due for promotion to bombardier when the tragedy occurred.