THE city said an emotional farewell to one of its own as hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their last respects to fallen soldier and police community support officer Mark Marshall.

Army comrades, police officers and residents from across the city joined the 29-year-old serviceman's family to say their goodbyes at his funeral at Belmont Chapel, Western Way.

Rifleman Marshall, of 6th Battalion The Rifles, based at Wyvern Barracks, in Exeter, was killed last month when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on a routine foot patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The full military service saw seven buglers signalling the arrival of the funeral procession.

And two honour guards, made up of police officers and servicemen, lined the entrance to the chapel.

Passers-by stopped to witness the cortege, led by a single police motorcyclist, as it pulled up to the rear entrance of the church.

And there was silence among the crowd as the family watched army comrades carry the soldier's coffin from the hearse.

In a poignant tribute to Rifleman Marshall's work as a city PCSO, his younger brother Alex carried the soldier's police cap in front of him as he led the bearers towards the chapel.

A statement from the family, read during the service by Sergeant Tom Cunningham, asked the congregation to remember the soldier's "cheeky smile".

It said: "Mark always gave so much, in all he did and achieved, in the short time he was with us. Today is testimony to that."

The statement added: "Everyone who has written the letters, messages and cards of condolences should know that they have given us great comfort, helping us through this time of loss.

"Always think of Mark with his cheeky smile and remember we never lose the ones we love, they stay in our hearts forever."

Lieutenant Colonel Tim House, Commanding Officer of 6 Rifles, said: "This is a very sad day and we are here to remember the life of Mark Marshall. His death was a tragic and premature end to a wonderful life.

"We are also here to celebrate that life. Mark made a significant contribution to the army, to the people of Afghanistan and to our community back home as a PCSO and as a youth worker.

"We take great inspiration from what he achieved, he was very courageous and we will carry on where he left off and we will remember him."

A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Mark had huge potential and could have achieved anything that he set his sights on. Sadly, Mark was killed before this full potential was ever reached.

"His cheeky smile, quick sense of humour and total professionalism are sorely missed by all his colleagues and everyone he served in the community."

The service at Belmont Chapel was followed by a procession through the city, via police headquarters at Middlemoor and Countess Wear, where Mark worked as a PCSO, towards Exeter Crematorium in Topsham Road.

It was there that the soldier's final farewell was marked by the sounding of Last Post and the firing of three volleys from the two honour guards.