HUNDREDS of mourners packed out a church to say goodbye to a fallen hero.

On a wave of sentiment, pride and love, the family and friends bade farewell to Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, the Rochford soldier killed in Afghanistan, aged 26.

Lt Lewis was killed last week, when the gun position he was commanding, in the Gereshk area of Helmand province, came under attack.

Yesterday St Mary’s Church in East Street, Prittlewell, was awash with emotion as time after time, those who had known him well rose to acclaim a true friend, a brilliant soldier and a fun-loving young man.

SPECIAL REPORT IN WEDNESDAY'S ECHO