The family of hero Black Country soldier Corporal Jonathan Horne have issued a heartfelt “thank you” to people for their support as they prepared to lay him to rest.

Crowds were lining the streets of Walsall today for the funeral of the 27-year-old, who was being buried with full military honours.

Cpl Horne died in an explosion on July 10, trying to save casualties injured in an earlier blast in Afghanistan.

His mother Jane Whitehouse, aged 54, said: “On behalf of Jay’s wife, children and family, we would like to say a big thank you to everyone for all their letters, cards and kind tributes to Jay.

“There are just so many people to thank.”

Crowds of people were today paying their respects as his coffin, draped in the Union Jack, was taken to St Gabriel’s Church.

Friends, family and soldiers young and old were expected to fill the Walstead Road church, where Cpl Horne was christened and married his sweetheart Rachel in 2007.

Hundreds more were outside to listen to the service through a tannoy.