Tributes have flooded in for a former professional soldier who devoted years to teaching young Cumbrians vital military skills.

A soldier to his fingertips, whose 22 years with the British Army included tours in Iraq, Bosnia, and Northern Ireland, Paul Kitching was respected across the county for his work with Cumbria Army Cadet Force.

He died on Sunday after a short battle with cancer.

And, as news of his death spread, many who knew the popular father-of-two took to social media to pay tribute.

Most poignant of all were the comments of his heartbroken wife Julie, who summed up Paul with four simple words: "He was the best."

Julie, 45, described how Paul had loved his life in the Army, having served with the King's Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR), which was later absorbed into the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

He achieved the rank of corporal.

Paul - known affectionately as Kitch by his friends - saw service in several conflict hot spots, including Iraq as well as in Cyprus, Germany, Belize and Canada.

"He loved it," said Julie.

"When he came out of the Army, he'd happily have joined up again the next day if he could. The Army is a huge family, and he missed it. He just loved what he did."

As soon as he left the Army, Paul found the perfect way to continue using his military skills: he volunteered for the Cumbria Army Cadet Force, becoming a detachment commander in Kendal.

"It was a way to carry on with his military life," said Julie.

"And he loved it; he loved teaching them everything he knew, and the children respected him.

"My son let people know when Paul became unwell through Facebook, and within a few minutes of him posting it there were hundreds of comments."

From marching techniques, to weapons maintenance, and map-reading, Paul's talent as a teacher of all things military helped his local cadet group to prosper.

He attained the rank of staff sergeant instructor.

A postman in his day job, he earned a reputation for devoted service to the Cumbria Army Cadet Force. He was also a regular attender at KORBR reunions in Carlisle, the most recent one being in May.

Julie added: "My heart is broken and I'm going to miss him."

Colonel Anthony Steven, the Carlisle based Commandant of Cumbria Army Cadet Force, also paid tribute. He said: "He had a determination to do his very best to change the lives of his cadets. His dedication and hard work and personal integrity made a huge difference.

"His cadets are devastated.

"He trained cadets from right across Cumbria, and he was very well known to all of my permanent staff. He was such a positive person."

Andrew Harrison, a Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor with the Cumbria Army Cadet Force in Carlisle, who served with Paul, said: "He brought to the cadet force enthusiasm and experience, and he'd do anything for anybody at any time"

Paul's memory will be honoured this weekend as former Cumbria Army Cadet Force colleagues - accompanied by Paul and Julie's son and daughter, Arron, 22, and Chloe, 19 - will take part in a sponsored trek up Cumbria's three highest peaks, Scafell, Helvellyn, and Skiddaw.

The aim is to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Major Rachel Diss, who began working with Paul in 2011, said: "He was a very proud man, very military focused. Nothing was too much for him.

"Everybody valued his input.

"What really struck me was his commitment to the Army Benevolent Fund.

"He took his cadets to Cartmell Races over the bank holiday weekend, and spent the whole day fundraising."

Paul's funeral will held at Beetham Crematorium, near Milnthorpe, at 3.30pm, on Thursday, October 26.

The funeral procession will include a Post Office van as part of a tribute from his work colleagues.

To support and find out more about this weekend's Kitch's Cumbria 3 Peak Challenge, log on to http://bit.ly/2xQ1IOe .