THE thoughts of all of York are with the family of fallen soldier Matthew Hatton, the city’s Lord Mayor said today.

Coun John Galvin paid tribute to the 23-year-old Lance Bombardier, who died in a double-explosion in Afghanistan’s Helmand province a week ago today.

L Bombardier Hatton, of Haxby, became the first York soldier to die in service in nearly eight years, prompting an outpouring of grief throughout the city.

His body was flown back to British soil on Tuesday, and the Lord Mayor today said the thoughts of York were with L Bombardier Hatton’s parents Jill and Philip, and his sisters Vicky and Becky.

He said: “On behalf of the city, our thoughts are definitely with his family and we are terribly upset at this first York casualty of the war.

“We can only offer our very sincere condolences to Matthew Hatton’s family and friends.”

L Bombardier Hatton was hit by a makeshift explosive in the Sangin area of Helmand last week. Two comrades, Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, and Captain Mark Hale, 42, went to his aid, but all three were caught by a second blast, as they made their way to a helicopter landing area.

A school friend of L Bombardier Hatton also today paid tribute to him.

Amy Kelly, 23, who attended Oaken Grove Primary School and Easingwold School with L Bombardier Hatton, said: “I still can’t believe what I have been reading in the papers, and hearing on TV and the radio. Matt was so passionate about joining the Army all through our school lives, and he lived his dream.”

Amy, who works in the Cottage Inn pub, near L Bombardier’s family home in Haxby, said yesterday: “He died doing what he loved the most. He was a great lad – always had a big smile on his face and was a proper joker. “You are one great guy Matt and I will never forget the 19 years we knew each other. Sleep tight buddy, brave soldier and true hero.”

Other friends have continued to pay tribute on a special page set up on the Facebook website. By yesterday afternoon, more than 1,890 people had signed up.