A LOCAL soldier has been killed in an accident during a training exercise in Northern Ireland.

Sergeant Major Michael White died when he was shot in the shoulder on a firing range at a base in County Down.

The 42-year-old, from Prestwich, suffered major artery damage and died on the way to hospital eight days ago.

Yesterday (Thurs Dec 20), his mother Mrs Marian White, who still lives in Prestwich, and his wife and teenage daughter, were joined by his friends and colleagues for a full military funeral in Northern Ireland. A joint military and civilian police investigation has been launched to discover how the firing range tragedy happened.

It has not been revealed whether Sgt Major White was firing a weapon or acting as a range instructor. Born in Prestwich in 1959, he attended St Hilda's Primary School and Heys Road Secondary School, now Prestwich High.

After leaving school he joined the Kings Own Royal Borders infantry regiment where he quickly rose through the ranks.

At the time of his death, he had been seconded to the headquarters company for Northern Ireland, working with representatives of other regiments and corps.

A spokeswoman for the British Army in Northern Ireland said: "I can confirm that Sergeant Major Michael White died in a training ground accident on December 13.

"A full inquiry, both by the military and the local police, has commenced into the cause of this accident.

"Our sympathies go to his family and friends at this sad time."