THE body of a soldier kicked to death outside a disco in Austria has been flown back to Britain for a full military funeral which was due to take place yesterday (Thursday).

Corporal Derek Osborne died earlier this month after being attacked by a group of men in Innsbruck, where he was competing in an armed services bobsleigh championship.

An inquest into the death of Cpl Osborne, who served with the King's Own Royal Border Regiment, based at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, was formally opened on Tuesday, and the cause of death given as "severe head injuries".

At the inquest in Northallerton, coroner Jeremy Cave said: "About 3.30am outside a disco in Innsbruck, Cpl Osborne and one of his colleagues were attacked by a group of men and, during that attack, Cpl Osborne was punched and kicked to the ground.

"He was taken by ambulance to Innsbruck University Clinic and admitted to intensive care.

At 9.10am on that same date, he was pronounced dead."

Five people, including two believed to be members of the Austrian Army, have been arrested.

Mr Cave said a pathologist from the University of Glasgow had been flown out to Germany to carry out a post-mortem examination and that there had been "no dispute as to the cause of death".

Cpl Osborne, who was originally from Ulverston, was married to Amanda, and the couple have a baby son, Scott.

Cpl Osborne's parents, Barbara and Rob, run the United Club and Institute in Barrow.

The funeral was due to be held at Catterick Garrison church, and the inquest has been adjourned.