THE devastated family of a teenage Lancashire soldier today spoke of their grief after he was killed in a road accident in Cyprus.

Private Craig Lee Warren, 19, of the First Battalion of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, was struck by at least one car on the Rizoelias-Dhekella motorway early on Saturday.

The tragedy took place on the eve of the battalion's departure from the island for a new posting in Osnabruck, Germany, following a two year tour of duty.

The teenager, from Colne, was wearing dark clothes and standing in the middle of the four-lane highway, possibly trying to hitch a lift, when he was struck, police in Cyprus said.

A statement on behalf of his father and stepmother Geoff and Andrea Warren and his mother and stepfather Catherine and Alan Beck, said: "Craig was everybody's friend. He was very outgoing and would be the first to volunteer for things. He loved sports and was very adventurous. While in Cyprus, he had taken up scuba diving and parachuting. He made the most of life and loved being in the Army. We will all miss him dearly."

A former pupil of Castercliff Primary School then Walton High School, Colne, Pte Warren worked for a short time with Sovereign Windows before fulfilling a lifetime ambition to join the army.

On completing basic training, he joined 1QLR in Autumn 2004, based at Dhekelia in Cyprus. And from November 2004 to February this year, he completed a four-month tour of duty in the Falkland Islands with the regiment, which is set to change its name to the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment as part of an armed forces re-organisation.

It is believed he was knocked down as he tried to make his way back to his garrison, shortly after midnight. He was so badly injured that Army bosses carried out a DNA test to confirm his identity.

A 45-year-old Cypriot man passed a breathalyser test at the scene and police are continuing to investigate the accident.

Mayor of Pendle Coun Sharon Davies said: "My sympathy goes to the family of Craig Lee Warren who has died in Cyprus in such tragic circumstances. A brave young man prepared to serve his country with the Queen's Lancashire Regiment will be sadly missed by many."

Pte Warren's younger brother Shaun followed Craig into the Army and has recently completed basic training.