A former British soldier has been killed in a car crash in Ukraine, his family has confirmed.

Julian Thorn had travelled from Hexham, Northumberland, to help refugees and train Ukrainian fighters to use military equipment sent from the UK.

The 36-year-old had served with the Fusiliers and did tours of Afghanistan.

His fiancée Louise Lathbury was told of the death on 21 May, the day she made his wedding ring. An appeal has begun to raise funds to bring his body home.

She said Mr Thorn – who was known as Jay – went to the war-torn country as it was “something he felt strongly about and wanted to share the skills he had”.

While there he had done humanitarian work helping refugees on the Ukraine-Poland border.

Ms Lathbury, originally from Berkshire, said her partner died “instantly” in the crash, which was confirmed by a colleague in Ukraine and the Foreign Office.

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feature image credit Julian Thorn Facebook