FRIENDS of a soldier who died in Iraq paid tribute to him with a memorial drive.

About 100 friends of Lance Corporal David Wilson, from Spennymoor, County Durham joined a convoy that passed the family home in Witton Park on their way from Bishop Auckland to Teesside Park.

Friend James Peverley sold stickers that raised £110 for the Help the Heroes fund.

L Cpl Wilson, 27, had been a soldier for five years and had just become a father to baby Poppy when he died in December.

The Army launched an inquiry after he was found with a gunshot wound to the head at the British base in Basra only a month before he was due to return to his fiancee, Michelle Curry.

Ms Curry and L Cpl Wilson’s twin brother, Michael, joined the rally.

Mr Peverley said: “He was a popular lad who would always have a joke and cheer people up. We thought this was a good way to remember him and raise a bit of money for Help the Heroes.

“The number of people who have turned out show just how much we all thought of him. He is a great loss.”