A FORMER Leytonstone schoolboy has become the youngest British soldier currently serving in Afghanistan.

Fusilier Hayden Hendricks, turned 18 on this month and within days headed out to Afghanistan for a six-month tour of duty in Helmand Province.

Pvt Hendricks, who has had to wait as the British Army does not deploy under 18s on operations, was born at Whipps Cross Hospital and grew up in Leytonstone, attending Davies Lane Primary School, before moving to Barclay Primary School, in Canterbury Road.

He went on to briefly attend Mark Hall school, in Harlow, Essex, before his family moved to central Manchester.

Pvt Hendricks said: "It is certainly daunting to be on operations, but we have had seven months of hard training, so I feel well-prepared.

"It has not really crossed my mind that I am the youngest soldier but I do feel proud to be out here making a difference for the people of Afghanistan."

Pvt Hendricks is following in the footsteps of his grandfather , who served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers as a sergeant.

Pvt Hendricks joined the army when he was 16 years old and joined the Second Battalion of the Fusiliers last year.

He said: "They are a good bunch of lads in the battalion, I have got to know most of them and I have made a lot of good friends.

Following some further training Pvt Hendricks will be deployed in the north of the province.

He will go out on a regular patrol across difficult terrain with an eight to 10 man infantry section, providing support to Afghan security forces.

Pvt Hendricks lives with his mother Alison, older brother Raphael and younger sisters Rachael, 14, and Jamilah, 10.