A soldier who was preparing to serve in Iraq was killed in an alleged hit-and-run incident.

Stuart Mason, 19, (pictured right) from Romsey, died when he was hit by a vehicle, which apparently failed to stop, in the early hours of Thursday last week.

The incident occurred in Folkestone, Kent, where Stuart was undergoing final training before his deployment with the rest of the Royal Artillery 106 Regiment.

He was knocked down by a dark blue car as he walked along a main road after celebrating completing his training.

The car is understood to have mounted a pavement and hit a lamp-post before speeding off.

Police announced later that they had arrested a 25-year-old man from Folkestone, who was released on bail on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Stuart, a gunner, who belonged to a Southampton-based battery of the Territorial Army, leaves behind a devastated family.

His father, Steve, 46, said that his death was difficult to come to terms with.

The family had been told that on the morning he was killed, he had been on his own because he wanted to get back to barracks to prepare for packing up next day.

Mr Mason said his son, who would have celebrated his 20th birthday tomorrow (Saturday) was fulfilling his life's ambition to serve his country with the TA.

"That is all he ever wanted to do, right from being a boy," Mr Mason said. "He wanted to become a regular and was probably going to join after this tour of duty to Iraq. It is just such a waste."

Stuart, who lived with his grandmother at Nutsey Lane, Totton, had been with the TA as a cadet, and rose to the rank of sergeant.

A former pupil at Romsey School he had also been a member of Romsey Wasps rugby team. He leaves a sister, Samantha, 16, two brothers, Daniel, 16 and Toby, 14.

A TA spokesman said: "He was always a very cheerful individual and exceptional soldier. He will be missed by all of his battery."