THE Queen presented a Westcliff soldier with the prestigious Military Cross yesterday, for bravery while fighting in Afghanistan.

Corporal Robert Moore, 31, from the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, received the cross at Buckingham Palace.

It is the third highest honour a soldier can be given for bravery, behind the Victoria Cross and the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.

The former Belfairs High School pupil, was honoured for fighting up to ten Taleban rebels in the Helmand province of the war torn country last April.

He was shot in the arm and another soldier was killed before he received back-up.

Despite his serious injuries, Cpl Moore kept fighting to protect other soldiers.