Tributes have been paid to the Royal Marine from North Yorkshire who was killed in an Iraqi ambush near Basra.

Chris Maddison, a 24-year-old from Scarborough, died when his river patrol came under grenade and gunfire attack.

His mum Julie and stepfather Tony, who run a hotel on Scarborough's North Bay, said he had lived his life by brave and noble principles.

"He died in a war that will be won in his name, alongside all the other brave souls, who selflessly gave for the freedom of all our nations."

Chris was part of a unit from Plymouth-based 539 Assault Squadron in a launch along aside 40 Commando that was engaged in a skirmish which also left three others injured.

The former pupil of Laurence Jackson Comprehensive in Guisborough died a short while later in a field hospital.

His father Leslie Towell said from his home in Hayling Island, Hampshire: "I am very proud of who he was and what he did.

"He was a brilliant lad. All he ever wanted to do was to be a Royal Marine."