A CLOSE friend told last night of how proud the parents of Lance Corporal Benjamin Hyde were of the job their son was doing in Iraq.

Jane Tasker spent many years living next door to John and Sandra Hyde, in Bankhead Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and had watched their son grow from a little boy into a "lovely and loving" young man.

Mrs Tasker said: "There are no words to describe how much he was loved - he was the centre of his parents' universe and they were so very proud of him."

L Cpl Hyde, 23, had been sent out to Iraq as part of the Military Police Force about five months ago and was due to return home on July 12.

"His parents were looking forward to him coming home so much and so was Ben," said Mrs Tasker, 39.

"He did call his mum and dad and girlfriend Sarah while he was out there."

L Cpl Hyde grew up in the market town, attending Mill Hill Primary School, the Allertonshire School and Northallerton College.

Mrs Tasker said he was a keen sportsman throughout his teenage years and once played football for Northallerton Town. His mother now runs John's Taxis while his father is a porter at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

After leaving college, L Cpl Hyde originally joined the Marines and later changed direction to become part of the military police based in Colchester, Essex.

"His parents were so proud when he joined the Army," said Mrs Tasker.

"Obviously now it is just an utter shock for them. We all thought the war was over and then all of a sudden this happens."

John Kelly, vice principal of Northallerton College, said the news of L Cpl Hyde's death had come as a complete shock to many of the staff who remember him.

"He was a very popular student and had very good relations with both the staff and the other students in the college," he said.

L Cpl Hyde attended the college for two years until 1998, gaining a GNVQ qualification in science.

"He had so much character and it was only six months ago that he was here at the college visiting us dressed in his uniform.

"For all who have known him the news is very distressful and our condolences go out to his family at this very sad time."

Pulling out some old college reports from the files, Mr Kelly read one that described L Cpl Hyde as having a sunny disposition.

"He was just a lovely young man and he will be greatly missed," added Mr Kelly.