The funeral of a Black Watch soldier who died six weeks after being fatally wounded in Afghanistan is under way in Fife.

The service for Corporal Thomas 'Tam' Mason is taking place at Trinity Parish Church in Cowdenbeath and will be followed by an internment near Dunfermline.

The 27-year-old was injured by an improvised explosive device while on duty in Kandahar on September 15. He died six weeks later at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital.

Following his death, Corporal Mason's wife Kylie Mason said: "I have thought long and hard to find the right words to describe how Tam was and what he meant to me.

"But there are no words in the world that would even come close to describe what a great husband Tam was. He was the most genuine and kindest man I have ever known."

Corporal Mason was born in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire before he was brought up in Rosyth.

He joined the army in February 2005 and served in Afghanistan the following year before he returned to study to become a Mortar Fire Controller. He deployed again to Afghanistan in March this year.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer 3 SCOTS, added: "Corporal Tam Mason was a highly motivated and exceptional junior non-commissioned officer.

"He had set his heart on Special Forces selection next year and no-one would have bet against him reaching his ultimate goal. He was an immensely popular and modest man and he will be sorely, sorely missed."