TRIBUTES have poured in for a Hampshire serviceman killed in Afghanistan.

Devastated relatives and colleagues of RAF Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths have paid their respects to the 20- year-old, who grew up in Calmore, saying he “could light up a room with his intoxicating smile”.

Known to his friends as “Griff”, he died in a road crash on patrol near Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, on Friday.

His parents got the heartbreaking news at 2.30am on Saturday.

Kinikki, a former pupil at Testwood Sports College in Totton and Brockenhurst College, was due to celebrate his 21st birthday in just three weeks and his family had even sent out invitations for the surprise party for his return in November.

His grandad Peter Griffiths, 78, of Calmore, led the tributes to his grandson, who leaves behind his girlfriend Chloe Gunn, parents Tracey and Nick, two sisters aged 18 and 15, and a 12-year-old brother. He said: “I am so proud of him.

The news has devastated all of us. He was a smashing nipper who was loved allround.”

Kinikki, who formerly worked in the Totton branch of Argos, joined the RAF in February last year as a gunner. He was posted to No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment and was selected as his flight commander’s signaller and driver. It was while carrying out these duties that he died in a road accident involving a Jackal patrol vehicle. He had been in Afghanistan for just ten weeks.

The running enthusiast moved to Devon three years ago with his parents.

His uncle, Grant Jenner, 49, said: “It was his life, he absolutely loved it. He was military through and through. He said the RAF was his second family. He knew the risks but was always beaming.

“He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He paid the ultimate price.

His aunt, mum-of-two Ann Jenner, 42, said: “He was a smashing boy. He was very loveable, very caring, very cheeky, and had a beaming smile which could light up any room.

“He will be sorely missed.We thought he was coming home. It is a cruel world. They say He takes the best and He did that day.

“It will take a long time for the pain to go – if it ever does.”

Wing Commander Paul Weaver Smith, Commanding Officer Bastion Force Protection Wing, said: “Kinikki was the consummate professional gunner and, even at this early stage, had much promise. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him in the RAF Regiment.

“Kinikki was serving his country by protecting a key UK operating base and he died while ensuring the security of others and enabling airpower.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and girlfriend at this very difficult time.”

The British death toll in the Afghan campaign since 2001 now stands at 322.