Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets today for the funeral of a Hampshire marine killed in Afghanistan.

Corporal David O'Connor, of 40 Commando, died as he served alongside Corporal Channing Day, of 3 Medical Regiment on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

Today hundreds of mourners are due to line the streets of Havant for Cpl O’Connor’s funeral.

The 27-yearold and Cpl Day, 25,, were overseeing the training of Afghan local police when their patrol came under fire near the village of Char Kutsa.

They were fatally injured during the firefight.

An initial review into their deaths has revealed the killings were not caused by ''friendly fire''. Investigations are continuing, the MoD said.

Royal Marine Cpl O'Connor was deployed to Afghanistan at the end of September as a section commander in the acting rank of corporal.

He lived with his mother Rosemary and leaves his mother, brother Phil and father Roy, known as George.] His funeral service will take place at St Faith’s Church, Havant, at 2pm today.

A statement released by his family said: ''David's family and friends are greatly saddened by his loss and hope to be left to grieve privately.''

Lieutenant Colonel Matt Jackson, commanding officer, 40 Commando Royal Marines, said Cpl O'Connor ''was one of the best''.

He served with Charlie Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, as part of Transition Support Unit Nahr-e Saraj, and was based in Patrol Base One in the southern part of Nahr-e-Saraj District.