An ambitious 20-year-old soldier with a "very promising future" has been killed in a car crash.

The family of Lance Corporal Luke Shah, who was training to be an officer, are in "disbelief and shock".

The young soldier, who served in Iraq, lost control of his car as he drove to visit his father Naheem Shah and stepmother Julie Hanson at their home in Bradford.

Miss Hanson, of Trenholme Avenue, Woodside, said: "The Army, the country and the world have lost a perfect person.

"He would do anything for people and he had a smile which illuminated the room as soon as he walked in.

"We all loved him and we are in absolute disbelief and total shock. When I heard, I wanted to block my ears and pretend I had not heard."

Luke served with the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, at Mnster in Germany until April, when he took up a coveted place on a selection course for potential officers.

Luke's main inspiration to serve in the Army came from his uncle Nicky Bourne, who encouraged him to join up.

When his uncle died four years ago, it gave Luke further motivation to join the Army, which he did aged 17.

Miss Hanson said: "He had potential, not just in the Army, but in life. He would have been an officer."

Major Garry Spence, Officer Commanding HQ Company, said: "The entire Battalion is shocked and saddened.

"Lance Corporal Shah came to us straight from training and quickly established himself as a well-liked member of the unit.

"He deployed to Iraq with the battalion in 2004/05, where he uncomplainingly faced the same dangers and demands as the other soldiers. The fact that not only was he promoted quickly to Lance Corporal but had been selected as a potential officer candidate demonstrates how bright a future he had."

Luke was living in Louth, Lincolnshire, at the time of the accident but often returned to Bradford to visit his family and friends.

Miss Hanson recalled how Luke had enjoyed a game of badminton with his dad in Odsal a week before his death. Luke also enjoyed music, dancing and going to the pictures.

The fatal road incident happened on the A18 in Keelby, Lincolnshire, at 12.30am on Wednesday, August 9.

Luke, who was driving a black Ford Fiesta, was pronounced dead at the scene. The road remained closed for five hours. No other vehicles were involved.

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

Funeral held for Iraq victim

A funeral has been held for Corporal Matthew Cornish, 29, of Pool-in-Wharfedale, who was killed when Iraqi insurgents attacked an Army base in Basra.

The service took place at All Souls' Church in Cheriton, near Folkestone, Kent. More than 70 relatives, friends and Army colleagues paid their respects.

Cpl Cornish, of 1st Battalion The Light Infantry, was killed on August 1 in a mortar attack on the base at the Old State Building in the southern Iraqi city.

He had been due to leave the front line to take part in a sergeant training course just a few days later. Shortly before he died, he sent e-mails to his father Robin, 60, of Otley, spelling out the dangers of life in Iraq.

Cpl Cornish, the elder of two boys, was stationed in Germany with his wife, Abby, 28, son, Ethan, three, and 15-month-old daughter, Libby. He returned regularly to the Otley area to see family and former schoolfriends.

Cpl Cornish, a proud Yorkshireman who was nicknamed "Pastie" because of his surname, died on Yorkshire Day.