THE Martham grandmother of a soldier killed while serving in Afghanistan has told how she was “bursting with pride” after her daughter was honoured in military awards hosted by national newspaper The Sun.

THE Martham grandmother of a soldier killed while serving in Afghanistan has told how she was “bursting with pride” after her daughter was honoured in military awards hosted by national newspaper The Sun.

Held on Tuesday at Hampton Court Palace, the first Sun Military Awards, of The Millies, saw heroes from the armed forces honoured for their bravery.

Christine Bonner, mother of Cpl Darren Bonner, 31, who was killed in a roadside explosion in June 2007, received the Judges' Award for Special Recognition for her charity work which has raised thousands of pounds for the Army. She has also set up a support network for heartbroken mums and was presented with the award by Prince Charles and wife Camilla.

Darren's grandmother Margaret Box, who lives in Martham, said: “I'm bursting with pride. She didn't know she had been nominated until this week and never expected to win.”

Cpl Bonner had worked as a doorman at Long John's Bar on Yarmouth's Britannia Pier. He was one of nine soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment's 1st Battalion killed in Helmand province last summer.

Mrs Bonner was joined by several members of her family including Mrs Box when she travelled to Yarmouth in January to support a parade by more than 50 Royal Anglian soldiers.