THE grieving family of a promising teenage soldier have said he was living his dream in the Army.

Tributes have been paid to 18-year-old rifleman John Dean Myers, who died suddenly from unexplained causes last week.

Pte Myers, from Firth Moor, in Darlington, was serving with the 3rd Battalion Rifles at Redford Infantry Barracks, in Edinburgh.

He went to bed after finishing his guard duty on Tuesday evening but was unable to be woken the following morning.

His death is believed to be from natural causes.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said they were preparing a report for the Procurator Fiscal, but there were no suspicious circumstances.

Despite only being in the Army a little more than a year, the former Eastbourne School pupil was about to be put forward for promotion to Lance Corporal.

Pte Myers, who would have been 19 today, was described as the "life and soul of his platoon" by his senior officers.

Last night, his family speaking from their home, told how, since childhood, Pte Myers had wanted to be a soldier.

From an early age, he used to chase his two brothers and three sisters around the garden with toy guns, playing at armies.

"From about the age of three, he wanted to be in the Army," said his mother, Janice Dawson. "He used to be a bit naughty at school, but he knuckled down so he could join up. He loved every little bit of Army life."

His father, Stephen Myers, said: "He always used to say he was living the dream."

Pte Myers joined the army in March last year.

After completing his basic training at Catterick, North Yorkshire, he was posted to Edinburgh.

Between September last year and January this year, he served in Afghanistan, where officers praised his work.

In a letter to Pte Myers' parents, his senior officer, Captain David Higgins, told how he regularly used to volunteer for every job available.

Outside the Army, Pte Myers was described as a fun-loving man, who used to dote on his family, friends and girlfriend Amy.

His brother, Lee-James, said: "He was a really cheeky bloke.

"He used to look after us, even though we were older than him.

"He was the man of the house when he was here."

Ms Dawson added: "Nobody ever had a bad word to say about him.

"If someone was getting picked on, John would take him under his wing.

"I can honestly say we were so proud and privileged to be John's family and we were so lucky to have him."

Pte Myers' funeral will take place on Wednesday, at St John's Church, Darlington, at 11am.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Army Benevolent Fund.