THE funeral of a 22-year-old serving soldier who died after a crash on the motorway north of Carlisle will be held next week.

Craig McLaren, from Eastriggs, near Annan, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Wednesday, May 1 on the A74(M).

His funeral will be held on Friday, May 24 at 11am at the Old Parish Church in Annan.

A burial will be held after the service at the cemetery in the town.

And a reception will follow at the Graham Arms in Eastriggs.

The family have asked for donations to go to Help for Heroes and the Army Benevolent Fund via an online page soon to be set up.

Black clothing is not necessary and bright colours may be worn.

Mr McLaren’s car crashed on the southbound carriageway of the A74(M), near Ecclefechan, shortly after 9pm.

An 18-year-old passenger in the car was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, while two female passengers, aged 16 and 19, were taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

They were all said to have serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Maj Ross Anderson, his squadron leader, said that Mr McLaren was: “Positive and a team player. He was always quick to help.”