A Clayton-le-Moors soldier shot dead by the Taliban will be given full military honours at his funeral.

Private Jason Rawstron’s funeral is to take place at All Saints Church, Church Street, on Wednesday October 1 at 12.30pm.

This will be followed by his burial at 2pm in the cemetery in Dill Hall Lane, Church.

The 23-year-old from Barnes Street, Clayton-le-Moors, was killed while on duty in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan on September 12 by a Taliban gunman.

The 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment soldier had been part of a routine patrol near Forward Operating Base Gibraltar when they came into contact with enemy forces.

He was expected to return to the UK after his six month tour was ended in October.

Private Rawstron was repatriated to the UK last Friday when six fellow soldiers carried his coffin draped in a Union Jack flag from the RAF plane to the base at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. His family, girlfriend Michaela Walsh, 26, brother Graham, 25,and friends have been left heartbroken with grief.

Parents Mandy and Gary Rawstron described Private Rawstron as the ‘perfect son’.