THE family of a teenage soldier who was killed during a training exercise have vowed to carry on their fight to find out how he died, after the Army admitted some responsibility in his death.

Rookie paratrooper Christopher France, 18, died in April 2000, when he was crushed against a concrete bollard by an Army field ambulance.

His parents, Mick, 50, and Anne, 41, of Ayton Village, Washington, have been fighting ever since to find out exactly what happened.

Now, three years after the tragedy, the Ministry of Defence has admitted a degree of liability in their son's death - but still will not say precisely how Christopher died.

The family is taking legal action in a bid to make the Army come clean - and force them to pay compensation.

Mr France, a former paratrooper, said: "This has been absolutely horrible for us. My wife has suffered terribly throughout and is still having to see the doctor.

"All we have ever wanted is the truth. The compensation is secondary for us."

The family claimed the MoD closed ranks over the death, leaving unanswered questions over the vehicle's condition and how fast it was travelling.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found some vehicles' brake systems were not properly maintained and ordered the Army to improve servicing.

"We have had ten different stories from ten different Army sources about what happened," said Mr France.

"They have been less than helpful.

"We still have a long list of more than 20 of Christopher's personal items that went missing after he died and have never been returned."

The family solicitor, Gary Ackinclose, said: "The Army has now admitted liability, which is an acceptance of negligence or breach of duty of care on their behalf.

"We will now have a meeting with MoD representatives to discuss the amount of compensation.

"This has been a very sensitive issue for the family. It has never really been a matter of the family seeking compensation for their son's death and they still have questions to ask of the Army."

Christopher's grandmother, Edith France, 71, of Darlington, even wrote to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, in a bid to uncover what happened.

"This has been a real mess," she said. "Christopher was killed and we have never got to the bottom of it."

An MoD spokesman said: "We do not comment on specific cases. These cases are looked at on the facts and where the Ministry is liable, we would always admit liability."