Dozen of tributes to an Oxfordshire soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan surround Great Haseley village war memorial.

Lighted candles, flowers, photographs and notes dedicated to the memory of Dale Gostick, 22, have been left by friends and neighbours since his death on May 25.

The Royal Marine died when the armoured vehicle he was driving was hit by a roadside bomb in the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan.

The former Wheatley Park School pupil from Mill Lane, Great Haseley, was serving with 3 Troop of the Armoured Support Company Royal Marines.

His unit was returning to its base when the incident happened at the Sangin crossing of the Helmand River. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His funeral will take place in St Peter's Church in Church Hill, Great Haseley on Thursday.

Scores of people are expected to line the streets from 12pm to watch the coffin travel through the village on a gun carriage pulled by horses before the ceremony at 12.45pm.

Mill Lane, Rectory Road, Thame Road, Latchford Lane and Church Hill will be cleared of traffic between 12pm and 2pm.

Steve Kemp, chairman of Wheatley Rugby Club, paid tribute to Mr Gostick who had been a member since he left school.

In a statement on the club website Mr Kemp: "While I sit here reflecting about Dale, words like loyalty, commitment, friendship come to mind and I cannot remember anything but seeing the quiet boy that became the quiet man, who always had a smile on his face."

Parish councillor David Pickett, who had known Mr Gostick since he was born, said his death had shocked the village.

He said: "It's been a very tragic event in Great Haseley and it's unbelievable how people have come together. Placing tributes has been a way of the village expressing their grief, many people are deeply upset."

Mr Gostick joined the Marines in 2004 and was described by his commanding officer as a "shining example of a Marine".