A PARATROOPER from the region who administered first aid to casualties following a bomb blast in Afghanistan has been awarded a medal by the American military.

Lance Corporal Stephen Lewis, of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was working alongside US Marines in March this year when a bomb injured five of the ten men on patrol.

The 33-year-old has been recognised for his actions during the joint patrol with US Marines sent out to investigate suspicious activity at a compound in the Nahr-e-Saraj area of Helmand Province.

L/Cpl Lewis took control of the situation, providing first aid for the casualties and organising their evacuation by helicopter, while at the same time ensuring the patrol was protected against further attack.

The citation read: "L/Cpl Lewis initiative, perseverance and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon himself and 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps."

L/Cpl Lewis, from Gateshead, said: "I'm very proud to receive this medal and see it as recognition of all that we did together with the Marines in Helmand."

Major Timothy Wernimont, of the US Marines 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, said: "This medal is given to our marines when they have done something extraordinary or above and beyond expectation. It is without question that L/Cpl Lewis has met these criteria."