An inquest into the death of a bodyguard in a plane crash in mountains in Afghanistan was today being opened by Bradford Coroner Roger Whittaker.

Daniel Saville (pictured), aged 41, perished in the crash in May this year.

Mr Saville, commonly known as Jimmy, was one of three Britons on the doomed Pamir Airways flight in which more than 40 people died. He had been working for a private security firm which was providing protection for civilian workers in the war-torn country at the time of his death.

The plane crashed during difficult weather conditions which went on to hamper search and rescue attempts. Wreckage of the 60-year-old Soviet-made Antonov An-24, a medium-range twin-turboprop civilian aircraft, was eventually located in the Hindu Kush range of Estalef and Goldara, west of Shakara.

Mr Saville, a former soldier in the Coldstream Guards, grew up in Wilsden and his family plans to hold his funeral in Bingley.

The inquest was due to be adjourned pending further inquiries.