A fitting tribute has been paid to a north Suffolk solider who died while serving in Afghanistan.

Eastern Daily Press: Private James Grigg of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, who was killed in an explosion in. Picture: PA.Private James Grigg of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, who was killed in an explosion in. Picture: PA. (Image: Archant)

The parents of Pte James Grigg were the guests of honour at the opening of a new outdoor gym at Stradbroke High School yesterday – where Pte Grigg was a former pupil.

Michael and Pat Grigg, from Stradbroke, near Diss, helped to fund the £14,000 fitness area by giving the school money from the James Grigg Trust, which was set up in memory of their sports-mad son.

Mr Grigg said: 'It was very gratifying to be asked to open it and we were pleased to do it. James's trust donated some of the money to buy the sports equipment and it was very emotional.

'To us it is quite important because James just lived for sports.

'Although he would not admit to it, he did enjoy Stradbroke High School. We are happy to support the school in any way.'

Pte Grigg served with the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. He was 21 when he was killed by a Taliban improvised explosive device whilst on an operation in Afghanistan in March 2010.

He was a keen cricketer and had played for the Stradbroke Cricket Club first team.

Fundraising for the eight pieces of equipment was organised by the friends of the school and other businesses and organisations helped to fund the gym.

Pupils at the school said they were looking forward to using the equipment at break and lunchtimes as well as during their PE lessons.

Joanna Beale, head of PE, said: 'The new equipment will allow pupils to exercise, in pairs, in a comfortable environment and understand more about the muscles they use and how to improve their fitness.

'This equipment is a real boost to both the GCSE PE curriculum and to pupil wellbeing overall and we are very grateful to everyone who has supported us in providing it.'