A MILITARY funeral for a North-East soldier who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq took place in the region yesterday.

Coldstream Guard Anthony Wakefield died almost two weeks ago while on patrol in the southern town of Al Amarah.

St Gabriel's Church, in Heaton, Newcastle, was filled with family, friends and fellow soldiers for the funeral.

His coffin was covered in a Union Flag, with his belt and hat on top. The 24-year-old's death became an election issue when his estranged wife, Ann Toward, said Britain should not have gone to war with Iraq.

The Byker-born soldier also leaves a mother, brother, fiancee and two sons from his marriage to Ms Toward, aged seven and two.

Guardsman Wakefield and Ms Toward married in January 2003 and separated eight months later.

The couple also cared for Ms Toward's daughter, Stacy, 11, from a previous relationship.

After the service, Lieutenant Oliver Biggs, who was in Iraq with Guardsman Wakefield, said: ''He was a fine soldier and a credit to his platoon."