FAMILY and friends said their final farewells to road crash victim - soldier John Atlee - by sending his ashes skywards in fireworks.

Some 300 people were at Bancroft Rugby Club, Buckhurst Hill, on Saturday - which would have been Paul's 24th birthday - to celebrate his life with a loud and colourful send-off.

Mr Atlee, of Fairway, Woodford Green - who served with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment - died when his car was in collision with a van in Epping New Road on October 14.

The accident happened five months after he had returned from a six-month tour of duty in Iraq.

His brother, Paul, who served in the same regiment, said: "John was a character, he was so full of life - the life and soul of the party. Everything he did was loud."

He added: "After the cremation we were wondering what to do with his ashes. This (the fireworks) was a wonderful idea. It's something he would have loved. "

The five-minute display, arranged by Epping-based Heavens Above Fireworks, saw the fireworks light up the night sky, to the sounds of Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries - a favourite of the Parachute Regiment.

Mr Atlee's family are raising money for the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, Surrey.

Their efforts have so far raised about £2,500 with the total to be boosted by a sponsored parachute jump later this year.

l Contributions in John's memory can be sent to The Regimental Treasurer, The Parachute Regiment, Flagstaff House, Napier Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7SW.

Cheques should be made payable to The Parachute Regiment Central Account, and marked in memory of Private John Atlee'.