A Northern Ireland soldier who was badly burned in an explosion in Afghanistan has proudly joined his comrades for a special parade through Coleraine.

Michael Stoker was one of 70 members of the Queen's Royal Hussars who took part in the parade through the centre of the town yesterday.

Mr Stoker, who is the son of the former Belfast Lord Mayor Bob Stoker, suffered a broken pelvis and 30% burns after the vehicle he was in hit a mine and overturned at the end of May.

Just minutes before the explosion Michael had changed places in the vehicle with a colleague who died.

One spectator said he had appeared emotional during the parade, which was hosted by Coleraine Borough Council.

“He got a bit emotional because there was a wreath-laying ceremony for all those killed,” he said.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony the parade ended |with a service at the New Row Presbyterian church in the town.

Meanwhile Mr Stoker's father has said he is pleased that his son has not been barred from a Belfast pub following a newspaper report that he was turned away from its doors earlier this summer.

But Bob Stoker insisted that his son should not have been denied entry to Lavery's for wearing tracksuit bottoms over his injured legs.

Michael had been visiting his home town in July for medical treatment and met up with friends at the popular city centre bar in Belfast.

“They met up, had a drink and went out for something to eat. When they came back to Lavery's the door staff were on the door and stopped them,” said Mr Stoker, who served as Lord Mayor of the city in 1999. “I think a couple of the other lads had taken drink. When they went to go in they were told you can't come in with track bottoms on.

“One of the other lads said that the reason Michael was wearing track bottoms was that he was blown up and has to wear loose clothing because of his injuries.”

Mr Stoker said he had been told that one of the doormen said: “‘I don't care if he was blown up across the street — he's not getting in dressed like that’.”

However, a spokesman from the popular bar said that the reason the group had been denied entry was because the others appeared to be intoxicated.

“There is no mention of him being barred,” he said.

“They were refused entry on the night because they had too much alcohol. We can't allow people in if they are intoxicated.”

He added the bar had received numerous complaints and threats since the story was publicised in a Sunday newspaper yesterday.

“All day we have had to take the phone off the hook because of the abuse the staff have had to take,” he said.