A former Worth Valley police community support officer who died while serving as a paratrooper in Afghanistan is among those honoured on a new memorial.

Private Martin Bell, 24, was killed in an explosion after going back to rescue a badly injured colleague, disobeying his commander’s order.

He is among 29 servicemen and women killed since the end of the Second World War who are included on the memorial, which will be officially unveiled in Bradford’s memorial gardens on Saturday – three years to the day since the death of Pte Bell.

His mum, Elaine Bell, said: “It’s going to be an emotional day for all the families. It’s no more our day than theirs, but it just felt especially ironic it should be on the date he was killed.

“It’s a lovely gesture that him and the others will be remembered. I’m grateful to those who made the memorial happen.”

Pte Bell had been one of the lead men using mine sweepers to check for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the day he died in Helmand Province.

He was awarded a posthumous George Medal for his bravery.

A plaque in his memory was unveiled at Haworth’s Worth Valley police and community contact point in January, 2012.