HUNDREDS are expected to mourn the loss of a heroic Worcester soldier today.

A funeral with full military honours for Private Jason Williams will be held at St George’s Church before his coffin is driven through the city to Worcester Crematorium for a private service.

It will be between those two locations that people can line the streets and pay their respects to the 23-year-old former Bishop Perowne CE High School pupil who died in an explosion in Helmand province while trying to retrieve the body of a fallen Afghan comrade on Saturday, August 8.

Pte Williams, of Sunnyside Road, Barbourne, was serving with the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).

We reported in yesterday’s Worcester News how Pte Williams’ mum Linda will become the first person in the region to be presented with the new Elizabeth Cross - a sterling silver emblem in the shape of a cross over a wreath which is granted to families of Armed Forces personnel killed on operations, or as a result of terrorism, in recognition of their loss.

The funeral at the church in St George’s Square, Barbourne, will start at 2pm. The service is expected to last between 45 minutes and an hour.

People are being urged to stay away from the church if they are not part of the funeral. Anyone wanting to pay their respects can do so by lining the streets along The Tything, St Mary’s Street, Sansome Walk, Sansome Street, Lowesmoor, Rainbow Hill and Astwood Road instead.