A FORMER soldier who was protecting workers helping to rebuild Iraq has been killed in a road accident near Baghdad.

Darren Birch, from Bury, suffered severe head injuries and died in Baghdad Central Hospital after the armoured vehicle he was travelling in collided with a water tanker, days before he was to return home. He had planned to be married later this year.

The 30-year-old former Derby High pupil had been working as a close-protection officer in Iraq for the past 12 months after leaving the Household Cavalry, of Knightsbridge, London, three years ago.

Darren had recently been appointed second-in-command of his team and his job involved protecting professionals such as architects and engineers who had been drafted in to help rebuild Iraq.

Darren was travelling in the last vehicle of a convoy on the morning of Wednesday, December 28 when it was hit by a water tanker travelling in the opposite direction.

The bullet-proof Nissan, in which he was a passenger, lost control and it is believed up to four other men, including the driver, were injured.

Darren, who was due to leave Iraq permanently in April, was airlifted to hospital for treatment but died later that day.

His family are devastated by his death and more than 200 people were expected at his funeral today at St John's CE Church, Walmersley.

His mum Pamela Birch, who works at Bury Hospice, said: "I am proud to have had such a wonderful, caring, handsome and loving son.

"Darren had achieved so much in his life but he was a down-to-earth, ordinary bloke - but special.

"He was much-loved. There was a deep love between us. I am very, very proud of him."

Darren joined the Life Guards section of the Household Cavalry soon after leaving school, and up until then lived in the family home in Milner Avenue, Bury, with his older sisters Deborah Turbill (38) and Samantha Perkins (34).

He had made his home in Greenwich with his partner of two years Kelly Trabucchi (30), an air stewardess.

They had met in Cape Town while on holiday, and were planning to get engaged there following Darren's return home on January 2. An October wedding in Mauritius was planned, involving all the family.

Kelly, who is currently staying with Darren's family, said: "Darren had sent me a text on the morning of his death and we had spoken the night before. He was so excited about coming home.

"Our relationship was full of laughter. I will love him forever. This was a freak accident which could have happened in London or anywhere."

While in the Life Guards, Darren had completed both ceremonial and armoured duties, including operational tours of Bosnia, Canada and Egypt.

He was a physical training instructor and on leaving the forces, he qualified as a fibre optic engineer. After leaving Iraq, Darren hoped to become a firefighter.

Darren's sister Deborah paid tribute to her "amazing" brother.

"He was always a massive protector of everybody, it was in his nature and that is what he died doing.

"He was an amazing person. Everybody loved him and he was an extreme role model to his seven nephews and nieces. They worshipped him."

Major Jonny Rees Davies, troop leader in Bosnia, said: "Trooper Darren Birch served with the Life Guards on duty and as an operational soldier in Canada and Bosnia, among other areas. He was an extremely proficient soldier who was always compassionate and caring. He was well liked by both officers and soldiers at the regiment, who will all miss him.

"Our thoughts go to his family and loved ones at this difficult time."