James, aged 20, was killed just over six weeks ago in a roadside blast in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while serving his country with the Royal Dragoon Guards.

His coffin, draped in the Union Jack, was brought in a funeral procession from his hometown of Rawmarsh, Rotherham, in a hearse decorated with a flower arrangement spelling out "son".

Six soldiers carried the coffin on their shoulders. The casket bore a poppy wreath, his hat, belt and badge.

Family members wept openly before the full military service, with his mother Sharon Leverett, 37, being comforted by a relative.

James' girlfriend Tiffany Lound, 18, wearing a black dress with a white bow in her hair, also appeared emotional. She is due to give birth to the couple's baby boy in September - a child James will never meet.

A lone bagpiper solemnly led the procession into the cathedral, before the service began with a song selected by James, I'll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy.

The music was specially chosen by the fallen soldier in a letter to his family. Champage Supernova, by Oasis, played as the congregation filed out.

The Dean of Sheffield Cathedral, the Rev Steven Croft, paid tribute to James standing beside a family photo of the young soldier, and a picture of him in uniform.

"We mourn him as a soldier who served our community and our country," he said. "We mourn today for the joy and hope which he brought to us as a son, a brother and a friend."

The Rev Edith Dawson, a member of the Army cadet force, delivered a homily on behalf of James' family, describing him as a "young man who died too soon".

"His brothers said he was strong, funny and had a great personality. He was someone to look up to - in many ways the man of the house. As a son he was older than his years," she said.

James had three brothers, Neville, 19, Lewis, 15 and Jack, 10, and was brought up by stepdad Tony Weighell, 41. His father Neville, 38, lives in New Zealand.

"He grew up to be independent and protective of his mum," Rev Dawson said. "Tiffany called him a 'charmer', and someone you could not be mad at for long. There is a hope in the life of the young baby that is yet to be born."

During the service prayers were led by Rev Anthony Roache, the Royal Dragoon Guards chaplain, who later led a private burial service at Rawmarsh Cemetery. A wake was also held at the town's Star pub.

Afterwards mourners gathered at the cathedral applauded as the large congregation was led out by Rev Croft.