Giggleswick funeral for Pte Matthew Haseldin

Pte Haseldin joined the Army in February 2011 and was deployed to Afghanistan in September

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of a 21-year-old soldier who was killed in Afghanistan just a few months after joining the Army.

Pte Matthew Haseldin, from 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, was killed in Helmand province on 3 November.

During the service, his uncle described him as someone who wanted to be the best at everything he did.

The funeral took place at St Alkelda's Church at Giggleswick, North Yorkshire.

Pte Haseldin, from Settle in North Yorkshire, joined the Army in February 2011 and was deployed to Afghanistan in September.

He was taking part in a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj District when it came under attack by insurgents.

During the service he was remembered by his uncle, Barry Thompson, as someone who loved Manchester United and being with his family and friends.

"He was very competitive at everything he did. He wanted to be the best at everything he did," Mr Thompson said.

He added that Pte Haseldin was "no quitter" and had made his parents extremely proud when he joined the Army.

Mourners applauded when the tributes had finished.