THE father of a teenage Army signaller last night paid tribute to his son who died after being hit by a car.

Steven McGuckin, 18, was walking back to base where he was training to be an Area Systems Operator.

The Runcorn born man was heading for the Leconfield base, near Hull after a night out with friends early on Saturday morning when the accident happened.

Steven was on a dual carriageway just after 5am when he was hit by a Ford Escort driven by a 39-year-old man from Lincolnshire.

Speaking from his Chorley home, Steven's father, Peter, 43, last night spoke of a son who was happy-go-lucky and who lived life to the full.

Steven moved to the Lancashire town with his father in September 1998. Once he finished school he joined the Army and was coming to the end of his training. He only needed to pass his HGV licence to become qualified.

A member of the 11th Regiment Royal Signals, he did the majority of his training in Blandford, Dorset, moving north to complete his HGV licence.

Steven had decided to walk back from a night out in Beverley. He took the three mile walk after missing the free night bus back to the base.

Mr McGuckin said: "He was a happygo-lucky kind of chap, he lived life to the full. He had lots of friends in Chorley, Runcorn and in Liverpool and he really loved his family. Every time he phoned up he wanted to know exactly how everybody was and was always made up with any good news.

"He didn't have a long-term girlfriend at the time but he was definitely one for the women. He was always going out with his friends.

"He worked really hard at his training. He originally wanted to be a Royal Engineer but didn't have the qualifications from school so he joined up the Royal Signals Regiment.

"Our proudest moment was when he won a best endeavour award. He got a silver tankard for having the best improvement in his training.

"The picture is from that day in the mess in Blandford. It shows him just how he was, with a pint in his hand and a big smile on his face. He was so made up that day."

Steven had phoned the afternoon before his death to tell his family that he had just passed his HGV theory test. But by the time his father had received the message his son had already gone out with friends to celebrate...SUPL: