THE widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan has spoken of the “honour” of having a Bradford street named after him.

Bradford Council has approved a proposal to name a road in a new housing development after Sergeant Peter Anthony Rayner.

Sgt Rayner’s wife Wendy spoke at a meeting of the Council’s Bradford South Area Committee on Thursday night, saying her late husband would have been delighted at the honour.

After members unanimously voted to approve the name, the road, off Abb Scott Lane in Low Moor, will be called “Skippys Close” - Skippy was Sgt Rayner’s nickname.

Sgt Rayner from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, was killed while serving in Afghanistan in October 2010.

He died after being struck by an improvised explosive device whilst leading his men on patrol in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province.

He is buried in East Bierley Cemetery, a short distance from the new road.

He was an avid Bradford City fan and the Ministry of Defence described him as “one of the best Javelin Commanders in the Army.”

Councillor Davie Green (Lab, Wibsey) had written to the committee urging them to name the road after Sgt Rayner.

And at the meeting Wendy Rayner said: “This is a great honour.

“I’ve waited a long time for this. I’m glad we did wait, because this is the perfect location near the cemetery.

“When his colleagues come to visit the cemetery they’ll be able to come here and see this road.

“Bradford does a great job in honouring its veterans and those who deserve honouring.

“This will mean a lot to his family and close friends.

“He was full of fun, I bet right now he’s up there saying ‘yeerrrrs, party time’ because of this.”

The road will be the latest street to be named after a fallen soldier from Bradford, and follows a campaign to remember those who have died while serving in recent conflicts.

During his time in the army Sgt Rayner also served in Bosnia and Macedonia.

The nickname Skippy came from his tendency to tut a lot.

The road will lead to a development of four houses being built behind 1 Abb Scott Lane.

If the committee had voted against plans to name the road after Sgt Rayner, the road would have been called “Mineral Close.”

Other roads in the district have been named after fallen soldiers. Martin Bell Way, named after Private Martin Bell who was killed in 2011, is part a development off West Royd Road in Wrose, Shipley, and a business park off Buck Lane, Baildon, is named Sapper Jordan Rossi Park in memory of Sapper Jordan Rossi who was killed in 2009.

Christopher’s Court in Idle is named after Private Christopher Kershaw who died in 2012.