Bedworth street will be renamed in honour of a Sergeant who lost his life in Afghanistan

This section of road forms a key part of the town's Armistice Parade.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough councillors have agreed that a section of Rye Piece Ringway is to be renamed Sergeant Simon Valentine Way.

This section of road forms a key part of the town's Armistice Parade and the stretch which runs between King Street and Coventry Road was chosen as the poignant location to honour the Bedworth soldier.

Sergeant Simon Valentine lost his life in an explosion during a foot patrol in Afghanistan in August 2009.

Sergeant Simon Valentine’s mother, Carol said: “Simon was always very proud of his Bedworth roots, and he always took part in the parade, even in his early years as a Cadet. When he was away on duty and unable to attend, he always requested that we sent him the DVD to watch.

“Simon’s connection with the Armistice Parade was so strong that delegates from the organisation travelled to Royal Wootton Bassett to welcome his body back when it was flown home.

“We as a family are all extremely proud and honoured that the street is being renamed in Simon’s honour. The family deeply appreciate the Council’s hard work in making this happen.”

Cllr Kris Wilson, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: "The renaming of the road has been a long time in the planning, and I am delighted that we can now formally give the go ahead for it to happen.

“We wanted to honour a fallen hero of this borough, and to make sure that we gave due regard to Sergeant Valentine’s family, we invited them to find the exact form of wording for the name.

“Sergeant Simon Valentine Way is a wonderfully fitting new name for the road and the fact that it forms part of the Armistice Parade makes it all the more poignant and appropriate."