A SOLDIER who died saving seven colleagues from enemy gunfire in Afghanistan has been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

The widow of Corporal Bryan Budd, of Ripon, North Yorkshire, spoke last night of her pride at the award, the highest recognition for gallantry.

Cpl Budd, 29, a member of the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, died when he single-handedly stormed a Taliban position in Helmand province in August.

His is the first posthumous VC to have been awarded for 24 years, after Colonel Herbert Jones died in action while commanding the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in the Falklands conflict.

Cpl Budd, who had served for ten years and spent time at the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, received the VC for two acts of bravery in Afghanistan.

On July 27, while his section was on patrol, it became caught in a fight with Taliban gunmen on the roof of a building.

With no regard for his safety, Cpl Budd led an assault into the heart of the gunfire, allowing a wounded colleague to be rescued for lifesaving treatment.

On August 20, his section was again caught in heavy fighting, with fierce gunfire pinning soldiers down and wounding two of his comrades.

Despite his wounds, Cpl Budd rushed the Taliban position, firing continuously. His action inspired the rest of his section to push forward, but his body was later found surrounded by those of three Taliban fighters.

Cpl Budd, who was due to be promoted to platoon sergeant, left a 23-year-old widow, Lorena, a lance corporal clerk with the Royal Artillery who served at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. They had a two-year-old daughter, Isabelle, and a second, Imogen, was born a month after his death.

His VC citation reads: "Twice he behaved with extraordinary gallantry, but his single-handed action on the second occasion, though wounded, to push on against a superior enemy force stands out as a premeditated act of inspirational leadership and supreme valour."

Mrs Budd said last night: "Bryan will always be remembered as a loving husband and father to our two beautiful daughters.

"He was a proud and passionate Parachute Regiment soldier who was prepared to make the very highest sacrifice to save the lives of others.

"He did it doing the job he loved, with his comrades and friends in the regiment he loved."