THE GIRLFRIEND of a hero soldier killed in Afghanistan said goodbye to her 'best friend and soulmate' as he was laid to rest.

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets for the funeral of Corporal James Oakland, 26, from New Moston, who was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) as he searched for bombs in Gereshk in Helmand Province.

His coffin was draped with a St George's cross and English flag and carried into the Blackley Crematorium by six military pallbearers as one of Cpl Oakland's favourite songs, Songbird by Oasis, was played.

Girlfriend Lauren Bowyer paid tribute to Cpl Oakland saying: "You were not only my boyfriend and my best friend but also my soulmate.

"It was an honour to have been your girlfriend and I am the person I am today because of you.

"I have many happy memories of James that I will hold close to me forever. "We enjoyed many holidays, including to Sri Lanka and Cuba, many weekends away and many gigs and festivals.

"I will always hold you in my heart until we meet again. I love you."

The local community lined the route along Moston Lane East, Hollinwood Avenue and Victoria Avenue, including pupils from James's old school New Moston Primary.

More than 600 mourners attended the funeral to pay their final respects. to the 26-year-old. A public announcement system played the funeral service to the hundred strong crowd standing outside.

Tributes were given, from close friends and family, including his parents, Steve and Christine and long-term girlfriend Lauren Bowyer.

Speaking on behalf of both parents, his mum Christine, said: "James always loved the outdoor life.

"He was never demanding and was always very thoughtful and full of life.

"I will always remember him and his brother dressing up in army uniforms with face paint on and going into the garden at night to seek out the baddies.

 "This was my James. He always made time for others and would always ring me when he was away so I wouldn't worry. "He always made us laugh and we have many happy memories that we will hold close to us."

Cpl Oakland, known to friends as 'Oaky', joined the army in 2002, just two days after his 19th birthday and passed out into the intelligence corps before transferring to the Royal Military Police in 2003.

He served in Kosovo and Beirut before being posted to Afghanistan two months early to replace a battlefield casualty. After his parents received two medals, the Elizabeth Cross and the Danish Defence Medal, in his honour, The Last Post was played and three volleys of shots were fired.

The bereaved family are asking for donations to be made to three charities instead of flowers. To make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com (http://www.justgiving.com/) and type in James Oakland.