THE family of a soldier who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run accident in Greece have spoken about their first Christmas without their son.

Lance Bombardier Brett Walmsley, 25, of Greenway Street, Darwen, was struck by a car when he was crossing a country road in Halkidiki on July 13.

Brett's father Stuart Walmsley, 51, spoke on behalf of his family and said they will lay a place for him at the table tomorrow when the family sits down for their Christmas dinner.

Last year Brett, who was one of nine children, helped his mother Olwen Walmsley, 44, decorate the Christmas tree and the rest of the room with his father.

Stuart, who broke down as he began talking about his son, said they were determined to celebrate Christmas in his memory as he had loved the festivities.

He said: "My wife couldn't put up the tree this year, she did it with Brett last year.

"And he put the trimmings around the room with me.

"We have put up the tree and decorations because I want him to come back and see them but I know that isn't going to happen.

"We are used to him going away and coming back. It's hard. I feel like I'm still waiting for him to come back home in time for Christmas.

"I know he won't but this year we will lay a place at the table for him. It will be the first and last time we will do that.

"He loved Christmas, we're doing this for him."

Stuart said that they had once celebrated Christmas in July as Brett had been away in December.

He said: "When he came back home we put up Christmas decorations and had Christmas dinner. Then we did it all again at Christmas.

"It doesn't feel like Christmas but if he saw we weren't doing anything he wouldn't be happy."

Stuart added: "He was a good son, he was always smiling and I'm really proud of him.

"He's a soldier of God now making a way for us."

Brett had been on a break from serving six months in Kosovo at the time of the accident. He was given a funeral with full military honours by fellow soldiers from the 47th Royal Artillery regiment at the end of July.

A 22-year-old Greek man has been arrested in connection with the incident.