A SOLDIER from the North-East has been buried with full military honours.

Friends, family and colleagues of Sergeant Barry Keen, from Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, paid their last respects yesterday.

The service for the 34-year-old, killed in action in Afghanistan on July 27, was held at St Paul's Church, Winlaton.

Sgt Keen had been in the Army for 18 years and had completed tours in Northern Ireland, Germany and Bosnia.

He was serving with 14 Signal Regiment in the south of the country when he was fatally wounded by a mortar round.

About 500 mourners, led by Sgt Keen's parents, Peter and Roslyn, and sister, Joanne, were at the church.

A family statement said: "From an early age, Barry wanted nothing more than to join the Army and was fortunate enough to fulfil this ambition.

"It is at this time of deep sadness we can take comfort that up until the end Barry was 'living his dream', and everyone who knew him realise he would not have had it any other way."

Sgt Keen's superiors described him as an inspirational figure and special individual.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Vickery said he was fourth fatality the regiment had suffered in just over a year.

He told mourners: "The war on terror is taking its toll.

"We all stand united and are fiercely determined to smother those who wish to harm people here and abroad, and to fight wherever they might be evil.

"This is a great soldier we have lost. He shone brightly and will be remembered in perpetuity.

"He has left an indelible mark."

An Army piper played Amazing Grace as the coffin was carried into the church and Auld Lang Syne on the way out.

Riflemen formed a guard of honour as he was carried to the hearse, his coffin draped in the Union flag, and fired a volley of three shots as he was interred at Hookergate Cemetery.

* The Northern Echo attended the funeral with the permission of the family.