A FALLEN soldier will be remembered forever after a street in his home town was named in his honour.

Corporal Andrew Roberts, who was 32 and from Hemlington, Middlesbrough, died in Afghanistan in 2012 alongside comrade Private Ratu Silibaravi, also of the Royal Logistic Corps.

The newly-built street has been named Corporal Roberts Close and at an official ceremony held today (Sun) Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, said the council would place a covenant on land so it will always bear his name.

Cpl Roberts' three children, Jessica, nine, Kyle, eight and Kayla, six, live in Oxford with their mother and so couldn't attend, but the street signs were unveiled by the soldier's nieces and nephews while his parents, Stephen and Pauline watched on.

After the unveiling, Pauline Roberts, who had been tearful at times, told of her pride. She said: "My son's name will live on forever now. It's what he deserves."

Asked what his son would have thought of the event, Stephen Roberts said: "I think he would have been really pleased. We've got what we want, but every one of the soldiers who died in Afghanistan should have the same."

Cpl Roberts' colleague and good friend, Warrant Officer Reg Lane, travelled from the Birmingham area to attend the event. He said: "He was hugely respected by everyone and a really, really great guy."

Earlier Ray Mallon had spoken before the unveiling. He said: "Our brave soldiers, they fight for our freedom, democracy and also to rid the country they are fighting in of atrocities.

"They keep the terrorists at bay. I can't think of any greater sacrifice than a man who lays down his life for his country.

"When we get a memorial of this type, it feels like Andrew is kind of here. He's here watching over us."

Cpl Roberts, a section commander, joined the Army in 1998. He had previously served on operations in Bosnia and Iraq and was on his second tour of Afghanistan when he was killed in a mortar attack on a base in Helmand province in May, 2012. His family, were presented with The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll after his death.