THE family of heroic Georgie Sparks have spoken movingly to the Epping Forest Guardian about their anguish over their son's inquest.

Georgie, 19, from Theydon Mount, was killed by the Taliban while serving with 42 Royal Marine Commandos in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in November 2008.

Mr Sparks, a talented sniper, died while trying to rescue fellow soldiers who were pinned under enemy fire.

The fight also claimed the life of fellow Marine Tony Evans, 20, from Sunderland.

His grieving family travelled to Trowbridge in Wiltshire last Friday (August 7) to hear Coroner David Ridley's verdict that Mr Sparks was killed unlawfully.

His visibly upset parents Wayne and Toni, were given the chance to question some of the other soldiers who were present during the firefight where their son lost his life.

Wayne Sparks said the coroners report was full of inaccuracies and that they felt they would never really know what happened to their son.

He said: "I still fell let down by the whole thing, the witnesses said he sustained injuries that were incompatible with life, but the nearest medic was at Camp Bastion, that's 20 miles away.

"When I asked them questions, it was kind of implied by the coroner that it wasn't relevant but there were so many inaccuracies, well it was very relevant to me, I lost my son and Tony died with him and we need to know if they could still be alive if they hadn't been let down by equipment.

"I still think he's coming home, I know he's not but some days when I get up I feel like it could happen.

"We still get calls on his mobile occasionally, my wife used it the other day and I saw Georgie's name flash up and I just felt so excited for a second.

"When I spoke to him ten days before he died he said he felt let down, but he couldn't tell me because their calls are monitored, I said: 'what do you mean? by the officers? and he said yes, 'they're treating us like idiots out here' and then he told me he would tell me about it when he got home.

"He was our angel, he was a hero, he was my hero and we never had any trouble with Georgie. I know I will see him again someday and we are so proud if him."