A SOLDIER who 'loved life' has been killed in a hit and run' road accident while on holiday in northern Greece.

Brett Walmsley, 25, of Greenway Street, Darwen, was killed in Halkidiki after being hit by a car while crossing a road early today.

The authorities said the driver did not stop to assist the soldier, from the 47th Regiment Royal Artillery, who was on a break whilst serving six months in Kosovo.

Reports in Greece said he was working with NATO and was killed as he walked along a rural road - the Nea Moudania-Paliouri - in the northern peninsula of Cassandra, which is a popular tourist area.

It is understood that he was staying at a hotel in the resort of Kallithea and was expected to return to his unit later today.

Soldiers serving with the international force in Kosovo frequently visit northern Greece for holidays.

Brett had his own page on a social networking website, which was last updated on Sunday night.

In a section entitled In My Own Words he wrote: "I love life. I love everything. Very sporty and athletic person, I try to do everything I can and live life to the max. I love to travel, I've travelled to many wonderful places and love to try more."

On the website he listed his profession as communications and he asked for anyone who wanted to chat online while he was on a tour of Kosovo to write to him.

His favourite books were listed as Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab, which is about a top secret SAS mission during the Gulf War, and Band of Brothers, a description of life in US Army's Easy Company during the Second World War. He listed his favourite films as The Great Escape and comedy American Pie Presents Band Camp.

Brett said dance, R'n'B, rock and house were his favourites types of musics and he said he liked clubbing at Heaven and Hell in Blackburn, the Walkabout bar, Wigan Pier Nightspot and Maximes in Wigan.

He wrote that his other interests were sports, shopping, pubs, keeping fit and wining and dining.

As his family and friends tried to come to terms with his death, friend Craig Jones, of Greenway Street, said: "I grew up with him and he was always a great lad.

"My brother probably knew him better but I knew him when he went in the army.

"Everybody is just in shock about what's happened."