Hundreds of mourners yesterday paid their last respects to a 21-year-old Midland soldier who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

The funeral of Private Phillip Hewett was told that he had been proud to serve his nation and the 1st Battalion, the Staffordshire Regiment.

At least 500 members of the public stood in silence outside St Editha's Church in the centre of the soldier's home town of Tamworth as his coffin was taken into the church.

Pte Hewett was one of three members of the regiment who were killed on patrol in the Risaala neighbourhood of central Al Amarah, south-east Iraq, on July 16.

Rev Alan Barrett told the congregation - which included the dead man's mother, Sue, father, Nigel, his four sisters and his brother - that he had given his life in an effort to bring peace and democracy to Iraq.

Paying tribute to Pte Hewett, the clergyman said: "Phil lived his life to the full.

"He always enjoyed everything he did and it's wonderful that he had so many good friends who loved him so deeply.

"Phil died on active service. People should be free to live to enjoy the fruit of their own labour - we call it freedom and democracy and Phil and his colleagues were engaged on behalf of the nation in trying to secure peace, freedom and democracy for a nation."

Earlier, four of Pte Hewett's comrades each made short tributes to him, one describing him as having tremendous self-belief and confidence.

Lance Corporal Richard Dawkins-Smith drew ripples of laughter from mourners as he told them: "Phil really loved his women and could never get enough of them."

Lance Bombardier John Chilton added: "He was the world - not just to me - but to everyone who knew him.

"He was someone very special."

The hour-long service was followed by a cremation ceremony in Sutton Coldfield, attended by a firing party and buglers.

Second Lieutenant Richard Shearer, a 26-year-old from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and Private Leon Spicer, also 26 and from Tamworth, were killed alongside Pte Hewett.

Pte Hewett was their driver and died from his wounds at the scene while receiving first aid.

He was described as a skilled driver of both Land Rovers and Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles.

He joined the 1st Battalion of the regiment three years ago and had just returned from leave in England.

The funeral of Pte Spicer, also with full military honours, will take place at The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Glascote Heath, Tamworth, on Monday.

Relatives of 2nd Lt Shearer have said they do not wish media to be present at his funeral and the Army has not released the date and location of the ceremony.