A SOLDIER who was killed in Afghanistan is to have a new street in Middlesbrough named after him.

Corporal Andrew Roberts, known affectionately to his friends as "Ginge", was killed by mortar fire inside an Army base in the Helmand province in May 2012.

The keen Boro fan and father-of-three will now have a street named after him - Corporal Roberts Close - as part of a new housing development in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, his home town.

His mother Pauline, 62, said: "It will be absolutely lovely because then his name will live on forever. A new road would be a lovely way to remember him."

Hemlington councillor Nicky Walker presented the request for the street name to Middlesbrough Council and said: "I am proud to have played a small part in helping the family achieve what is a fitting honour to a much-loved member of our community."

Corporal Roberts, 32, lost his life alongside comrade, Private Ratu Manasa Silibaravi, when they were hit by enemy fire in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand.

The section commander joined the Army in 1998, and was on his second tour of Afghanistan after previously serving in Bosnia and Iraq. He was in command of a team looking for improvised explosive devices.

The soldiers, from the Royal Logistic Corps, were attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Battlegroup when they were caught in an attack on Forward Operating Base Ouellette.

Corporal Roberts left behind three young children Jessica, Kyle and Kayla, girlfriend Paula Ewers and her son Josh, his parents Pauline and Steve and brothers and sisters Tracy, Emma, Mark, Darren and Michael.