The repatriation of a teenage soldier from Darlington who died in an explosion in Afghanistan took place today.

The coffin bearing the body of Private John King, 19, from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was flown in to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

After a private family ceremony the cortege will pass the memorial garden in nearby Carterton where the Union Flag will be at half-mast.

Pte King, who attended Branksome School - now renamed Darlington School of Maths and Science - was rememembered for his "fantastic sense of humour" and "mischievous smile".

He died after a bomb detonated as his patrol went to help an Afghan army unit under Taliban attack in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

He leaves his mother Karen, father Barry, brothers Ian and Stephen, and girlfriend Kelly.

His family previously paid tribute in a statement, describing him as "a proud soldier who died doing a job he adored."