THE girlfriend of a soldier killed in Afghanistan has spoken of the pride and sorrow at attending a homecoming parade of the regiment he was part of.

Lance Corporal Scott Hardy, from Chelmsford, was killed in an explosion in March, in Helmand Province.

Charlene Byrne is setting up a foundation in his memory and on Thursday last week she attended the Freedom of Southend Parade for the 1st Battalion the Royal Anglians.

Charlene and Scott’s sister were both invited to attend.

She said: “If Scott had been alive, he would have been taking part and that is obviously the sad side of it. But it was a celebration of their coming home and those who had died were mentioned.

“Scott’s sister was a bit worried about protesters turning up, but there were none.

“It was a day we will both remember.”

Charlene, 24, said the High Street in Southend was packed and people cheered and clapped as the soldiers marched past.

She, along with 24 other family members and friends, will be taking part in a skydive this Saturday, in Cambridgeshire, to raise money for Scott’s foundation.

She said: “We shall be raising several thousands of pounds which will go to the charity.

“We have had T-shirts printed with Scott Hardy Foundation on them and I am having a big banner made.

“I have never done anything like it before and don’t feel too nervous at the moment, but that might change when I get there.”