Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final tribute to Corporal Nick Webster-Smith yesterday (Thursday).

The 24-year-old Royal Military Policeman, who went to school in Tenby, was one of the five British servicemen killed when an Afghan policeman opened fire on a police checkpoint.

A Welsh flag flew at half-mast over the church in Brackley, Northamptonshire on Thursday for the funeral of Corporal Webster-Smith, whose family formerly lived in Ludchurch and Saundersfoot.

Friends from Pembrokeshire were amongst those at the service, where his best friend from his schooldays, Phil Spindlove, read a poem.

The coffin was draped in the Union flag with Corporal Webster-Smith's red military police cap and white belt on top, and was carried into church by his colleagues, to the accompaniment of the march of the Royal Military Police.

Tributes during the service were paid by his friend Corporal Marc Donnelly and his uncle Graham Thompson.

Leading family mourners were Corporal Webster-Smith's parents, Richard and Jacqueline, brothers Chris and Sam and sister Hannah, together with his girlfriend Emma Robinson.

The funeral procession left the church accompanied by a piper, and mourners gave a round of applause for the young soldier.

Corporal Webster-Smith's commanding officer, Lieutenent Colonel Debbie Poneskis, said his death had left his regiment 'reeling'.

She described him as 'cheeky and mischievous' and at the centre of all activities in the corporals' mess.

And she added that it was tribute to his skills as a serviceman that he had been selected to carry out the mentoring of Afghan policemen - one of the most difficult jobs in Afghanistan.

The funeral service was followed by a private cremation and a reception at Brackley Rugby Club to celebrate Corporal Webster-Smith's life.

Donations to The Royal British Legion, The Royal Military Police Benevolent Fund, The Army Dependents' Trust and The Special Care Baby Unit at Horton are being made from contributions received in lieu of flowers and from a collection at the funeral.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a cheque payable to any of the above charities to W.J. Franklin and Son, 30 High Street, Brackley, NN13 5IJ.