TRIBUTES have been paid to a North Yorkshire serviceman who died in a tragic road accident.

Lance Corporal Nick Woodward was awarded full military honours at his funeral, which took place at Pickering Methodist Church yesterday. Colleagues from the Royal Military Police attended the packed service, and emotional tributes were paid to the 22-year-old Pickering man by his mother, Ida, and niece, Emma.

Lance Corporal Woodward's family faced an agonising wait of more than three weeks before his body was released for the funeral, due to investigations into the fatal accident at Aldershot, when he was involved in a collision with a car while out jogging.

Mrs Woodward said her youngest son was devoted to his family.

"He was a son, brother and uncle to be proud of.

"He would take us to the pub and take us to meals, and he loved nothing better than being with his seven nieces and nephews."

She was thankful his last leave, just weeks before he died, had been such a happy one. "God could not have given me a better son, or a better-looking son," she said.

His niece, Emma Woodward, said everyone would have happy memories of her wonderful uncle.

"You used to tease me like an older brother would," she said.

"I never noticed at the time, but you were really good to me.

"I can't believe you are gone, you were always the most sensible person I have known."

Sergeant Simon Giddins, Nick's platoon commander, said he was an outstanding recruit.

"Military training is still no easy task, but this never posed a problem for Nick," he said.

"He was one of those guys who always took a stand for what he knew to be right.

"Nick was not just a good soldier, he was an all-round good egg."

Captain Ken Masters said: "He was commended for his hard work - one of the squadron instructors said: 'If I was given a squadron full of his determination, pride and work ethic then my job would be very easy.'

"He showed a completely selfless side in the field, he was a completely trustworthy soldier."

Updated: 11:48 Friday, December 13, 2002