The parents of RAF pilot David Stead - who was killed in Iraq three years ago - quietly marked the anniversary of his death yesterday.

But they have pledged to continue their fight to ensure that the entire fleet of RAF Hercules aircraft is fitted with vital life-saving equipment.

Flight Lieutenant David Stead, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, was one of ten servicemen who were killed when their plane was shot down on January 30, 2005.

The Hercules crashed after bullets pierced the fuel tank causing it to explode.

The aircraft was not fitted with anti-explosive foam - despite the fact that the safety issue was highlighted three years earlier - and since the tragedy the families of the dead servicemen have been calling for an urgent safety upgrade of the Hercules fleet.

At a pre-inquest review held at Trowbridge Coroner's Court last November, Wiltshire Coroner David Masters said he would consider the request made by David's father to consider calling the Government's Defence Secretary Des Browne to give evidence at his inquest.

David's mum, Pauline, revealed this week that the inquest had been set for March 31 and would last for three weeks.

She said: "Until then all we can do is bide our time. We haven't heard about whether or not the Defence Secretary will be at the inquest but the coroner is under no obligation to let us know.

"It has been three years since David's death and we feel strongly that the whole fleet of aircraft should be fitted with anti-explosive foam - anyone of them is at risk until that happens.

"We still feel the same today as we did when we found out about what happened to our son. We are still trying to lobby the government through our MP Philip Davies who is doing as much as he can on our behalf.

"We will mark David's death in our own way. We remember him every single day - not just on the anniversary of his death."