THE town of Colchester will pause on Wednesday to pay tribute to a paratrooper killed in Afghanistan.

The funeral, with full military honours, of Lance Corporal Kyle Marshall, of 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, will take place in St Peter’s Church in North Hill at 1pm.

L/Cpl Marshall was killed on February 14 by a roadside bomb during an operation aimed at improving security in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

Before the service, at around 12.30pm, the cortege will pass along Colchester High Street from East Hill.

It will be led by motorcycle riders from the Royal Military Police and Essex Police, while members of Colchester Council will pay their respects at the Town Hall.

L/Cpl Marshall, 23, from Newcastle, was due to marry fiancee Hayley at the end of his tour of duty and also leaves behind his father Garry and mother Olywn.

High Street, Head Street and North Hill will be closed to traffic between 12.30pm and 1pm to allow the cortege to pass.

North Hill will be closed briefly following the funeral, as the cortege departs for a private committal at Colchester Crematorium.

The family has requested no flowers, but for donations to be made to the Parachute Regiment Institute.

Cheques made payable to “Central Bank 2 Para“ may be sent to c/o Hunnaball of Colchester, York House, 41 Mersea Road, Colchester, CO2 7QT.