THE courage of a North-East soldier who died a hero in Afghanistan has been recognised with a military decoration.

Corporal Lee Brownson, 30, of 3 Rifles, has been awarded a posthumous Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC).

Cpl Brownson, from Bishop Auckland, died in a blast from an improvised explosive device near Sangin in January.

He had volunteered to lead a night patrol, which came under heavy fire and had to fall back.

The bomb blast also claimed the life of Rifleman Luke Farmer, 19, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

At the time of his death, Cpl Brownson’s company commander Major Tim Harris described him as “outstandingly brave."