THE tearful son of Iraqi bomb blast victim Anthony Wakefield said last night: "My daddy died a hero."

Little Scott Wakefield stood to attention in his pyjamas at the family home in Newcastle as he spoke about his father, who was serving with the Coldstream Guards.

The 25-year-old became the first British serving soldier to die in Iraq this year after a home-made bomb exploded while he was on patrol near the southern town of Al Amarah, at about midnight Iraqi time, on Sunday.

Guardsman Wakefield, a married father-of-three, and another soldier were on patrol in two armoured Land Rovers.

The other soldier was not seriously injured, the Ministry of Defence said.

Both soldiers were members of the Coldstream Guards, based at Aldershot, who were serving alongside the First Staffords in the 12 Mechanised Brigade, which has been deployed in Iraq since March.

Gdsm Wakefield's wife, Ann Toward, said yesterday: "I heard a knock at the door at 3.30 this morning and knew instantly what had happened.

"I answered the door to a man in a smart suit who handed me his card, saying he was from the MOD.

"I invited him in and he broke the news that Anthony had been killed.

"I am devastated and shocked. He was such a brave man.

"I had two children with him and I am trying to explain to them that their dad won't be coming home. It is very, very hard, it is only just beginning to sink in."

Last night, Gdsm Wakefield's wife blamed Prime Minister Tony Blair for his death.

Gdsm Wakefield had two children with his wife - Corey, two, and Scott, seven. He also had a daughter, Stacey, 11, from a previous relationship.

In a trembling voice, Scott said: "I am proud of my daddy, he served his country and he died a hero."

Three years ago, Gdsm Wakefield was hailed a hero after risking his life to rescue his friend from a freezing river.

He dived 20ft off the Swing Bridge, in Newcastle, into the River Tyne, to save Steven Cairns after a dare went wrong.

The pair ended up in the middle of the river and were blown to safety by the blades of a rescue helicopter.

Just after he made the rescue, Gdsm Wakefield, of Byker, said: "At one point I didn't think we were going to make it.

"But I wouldn't have given up unless I stopped breathing myself.

"We both nearly lost our lives. I was able to put my Army training into practice. I just did what I thought was best - and it worked."

Angela Cairns, 41, the mother of Gdsm Wakefield's best friend, Steven, 21, said: "Anthony was a true hero, he saved Steven and he went out to Iraq to fight for his country and lost his life doing it."

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Williams said: "He was acting as the top cover sentry in the second of a two-vehicle patrol when what appears to have been an improvised explosive device detonated - disabling the vehicle and injuring another soldier.

"Despite receiving first aid at the scene, and in the helicopter that evacuated him, he sadly died of wounds shortly after being attended by the doctor at the battlegroup's base, just outside the town."

Gdsm Wakefield's death takes to 50 the number of British service personnel killed in hostile action since the conflict began two years ago, and the 87th to die since hostilities began.

Lt Col Williams said Gdsm Wakefield was "a supremely fit and popular soldier who died doing his duty and among his friends".

Tony Blair paid tribute to his bravery last night. The Prime Minister said: "It underlines once again the extraordinary work and sacrifice that British armed forces are making in Iraq, to help Iraq become a stable and democratic country that's no longer a threat to its region and the world.

"And we should be immensely grateful for the work they do."

The attack comes less than two weeks after Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Iraq's most wanted terrorist, ordered his followers to target British soldiers with the warning that Britain "will not escape Iraq without punishment".

* Relatives of British servicemen killed in Iraq will deliver a letter to 10 Downing Street today officially launching their bid to take legal action against the Government and the Prime Minister.

Several families will be represented in a delegation that will give notice to Tony Blair that a challenge against the legality of the war is going ahead.