Kirkcaldy Soldier Laid To Rest

Army Dog Handler Lance Corporal Liam Tasker killed in Afghanistan 3 weeks ago will be laid to rest in Fife later.

The 26 year old from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps was killed whilst on patrol with his Springer spaniel Theo in Helmand Province on March 1st.

The dog died just hours later after suffering a seizure -the soldiers family believe Theo died from a broken heart.

Todays service will be held at Tayport Parish Church this afternoon.

L/Cpl Tasker's the 358th member of the British Armed Forces to die since operations in Afghanistan began back in 2001.

His body and the ashes of his dog were returned to RAF Lyneham earlier this month.

The repatriation was followed by a cortege passing through the Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett, where hundreds of people lined the streets in tribute.

Army chiefs have described the soldier as a ``rising star'' within the Dog Training Group.

Weeks before their deaths, Theo was praised by the Ministry of Defence for making 14 finds of hidden bombs and weapons caches in just five months - a record for a dog and handler.

The 22-month-old spaniel, on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, had uncovered so many improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that his time in the country was extended by a month.