A BRAVE soldier who protected others fromroad side bombs was honoured at the Debden Day festival for his courage.

Sapper Jake Luton and his unit saw numerous roadside bombs that a group of tanks was heading towards during a night time patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

The quick thinking soldier managed to guide the tanks safely through and saved lives in the process.

He also shielded the tanks from possible enemy fire so they could position themselves safely.

This led to him being mentioned in dispatches, an army record published in the London Gazette of soldiers who have been brave beyond the call of duty.

Today (Saturday) he was honoured by the organisers of Debden Day, a festival celebrating the town, and was given a certificate in recognition of his efforts.

The 21-year-old, who is in 23 Engineer Regiment Air Assault, saw a fellow soldier die during his first patrol in the notoriously lawless Helmand province, where many British soldiers have died.

He was patrolling in farm land with a river running through when his unit came under sustained enemy fire.

Sapper Luton, of Paley Gardens, Debden, managed to dodge the bullets but one soldier was killed while two others suffered from a punctured lung and leg injuries.

A Chinook helicopter rescued the two injured soldiers, flying them back to Camp Bastion, a British army camp in the province.

He said: “It was like hell on earth. The heat was extreme and it was scary. I had to carry a lot of kit.

“I can't really describe what it is like to see someone die. It was the first time I'd seen anyone killed. It's not something I really want to think about.”

Speaking about his awards, Sapper Luton said: “I was on leave when I got a call from my troop commander saying I had to come back.

“When I got there he told me I was to be mentioned in dispatches. I was extremely honoured and proud.”

However, he insists he is not a hero.

“I wouldn't see it like that all. I have a job to do and I do it,” he said.

Proud father Paul, 57, said: “I am delighted with him. He's done it all by himself. The only thing I wanted was for him to come back without scratch. I'm delighted that happened.”