THE family of a North-East soldier killed in Iraq spoke last night of their pride for their "wonderful" son who lived life to the full and of their anguish over his death.

Lance Corporal Benjamin Hyde, 23, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was one of six Royal Military Policeman killed in angry mob scenes in Majar al-Kabir this week. Three of the dead soldiers were from the region.

Last night, L Cpl Hyde's father, John Hyde, of Bankhead Road, North-allerton, said: "They were targeted and no matter what way you look at it they stood their ground and they did what they were trained to do.

"They could have killed a lot more people out there if they had wanted to, but they didn't. They were trying to prevent casualties."

The family last spoke to their son on Monday, while L Cpl Hyde's girlfriend of three years, Sarah, was visiting from her home in Essex.

All of his letters to his parents have been neatly preserved in a folder as precious memories of the time he spent in Iraq.

In one, he wrote: "It's red hot. You've got no food, no sleep, you can't wash properly, everyone wants to go home."

L Cpl Hyde flew out to Iraq on Valentines day, February 14, and was due to return home on July 12.

In a letter dated May 24, he wrote: "I should be back in five to six weeks.

"I'm not holding my breath though until the plane touches down in Brize Norton, then I'll definitely know I'm coming home."

The 23-year-old joined the Royal Military Police just over a year ago, having previously trained in the marines.

"With Ben, his job was his life and he loved doing what he did. All he ever wanted was that red beret," said Mr Hyde.

"He knew what he wanted to do and he was a determined person. We are so proud of him."

Defence secretary Geoff Hoon, Prime Minister Tony Blair and US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice have all paid tribute to the dead men, who also included Corporal Simon Miller, 21, from Washington, and Corporal Paul Long, who was born in South Shields.

Cpl Long's mother, Patricia, said: "He was a wonderful son and I love him and miss him."

It was claimed yesterday that anger over alleged heavy-handed weapons searches and the possible use of plastic bullets could have caused the mob scenes on Tuesday that ended in tragedy.

A senior British commander said a "misunderstanding" over weapons searches had caused tensions and could have triggered the protests.

One witness said British soldiers first fired rubber bullets and then live ammunition into the crowd.

A local policeman said four civilians were killed.

Mr Hoon said Iraqis might not have known the difference between the plastic bullets and live ammunition,