A ROAD is to be named after a Bolton soldier who was killed while serving in Iraq.

Jamie Hancock, from Kearsley, was aged just 19 when he came under fire as he manned a watchtower in the city of Basra in November, 2006.

He was wearing body armour, but a bullet entered the armhole of his sleeveless protector.

Now a new road in a Hindley Green will be named after the former Hesketh Fletcher High School pupil.

Hancock Close is part of a housing estate being built for Wigan Council. A memorial stone with an inscription describing Kinsgman Hancock as “a local lad” and a “lion of England” will be unveiled in March.

Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council, said Kingsman Hancock gave his life for his country. He added: “It’s our duty to honour and remember him and his sacrifice. Jamie was an outstanding young man cruelly taken from his family at far too young an age.

“I hope seeing this tribute so close to where they live will be a source of pride and comfort for those Jamie left behind.”

He added: “It’s unusual for us to name a road after an individual but, in this case, I think it is appropriate.”

There will be 34 new homes built in Hancock Close, which will be let to people on the council’s housing register.

Kingsman Hancock was living in Kearsley with his mother, Linda Ledwith, before follow-ing in the footsteps of his older brother, Joe, at the age of 18 and joining the Army.

He joined the 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, and, after training at Catterick and in Germany, volunteered for a tour of duty in Iraq.

An inquest into his death ruled he was unlawfully killed.