The funeral today of Rifleman Peter Aldridge at Holy Trinity Church, Folkestone

by Tricia Jamieson

The funeral of the 250th British soldier killed in Afghanistan has taken place in Folkestone.

Colleagues carried the coffin of Rifleman Peter Aldridge, draped with a Union Jack, into Holy Trinity Church in the town centre

Rifleman Peter Aldridge, 19, died last month in an explosion in Helmand province. He was in the 4th Battalion, The Rifles.

His parents moved to Folkestone from the Croydon area about two years ago and his younger brother Matthew goes to Pent Valley Technology College in the town.

The service began at 1pm at Holy Trinity Church despite concerns it might be delayed by the bad weather which disrupted the journeys of family, friends and fellow servicemen.

The town and surrounding area are under nearly a foot of snow with more forecast for this afternoon.