Funeral for "outstanding" marine in Leyland
More than 500 people are gathering in a Lancashire town to pay their respects to an "outstanding marine" killed in Afghanistan.
Marine Paul Warren was killed in an explosion while out on patrol in Sangin on 21 June. Despite first aid from his comrades his injuries proved fatal.
His friends, family, local people and the armed forces have lined the streets by St Andrews Church, Leyland.
Lt Col Paul James said he was "outstanding, bright, and very brave".
BBC Lancashire reporter Liz de Courcey, who is at the funeral, said: "There's a huge crowd, all the forces and lots of people have come out their shops, shoppers have stopped in the street.
"It's very quiet, no traffic passing through. It's a very sombre occasion."
Marine Warren, who joined the Royal Marines in May 2006, was described by his comrades "as the most switched on guy" who gave them great confidence that he would make the right decisions under pressure.
His family said: "A loving son, a brother and grandson who made us proud as a family. His cheeky smile will be missed by all who knew him."
Sgt Al Grant, of 40 Commando Royal Marines, said: "I had the immense pleasure of knowing and working alongside Marine Paul Warren as 9 Troop started their pre-deployment training.
"There is a huge gap to fill in 9 Troop now that Paul has gone, but it is without doubt that the lads who remain will carry on where he left off; this is exactly what he would have wanted.
"Paul was a shining example of what a Royal Marine Commando and Bootneck (colloquial term for Royal Marine) should be, and I am sure he would have excelled had his time not been cut short."