The father of a soldier who died on a training exercise on the hottest day of the year has defended the Army and said troops should not be 'wrapped in cotton wool'.

Corporal Josh Hoole, 26, died last week while on a gruelling run in the Brecon Beacons in heatwave temperatures.

But his father Phillip, 54, a former sergeant major, says the Army's tough training isn't to blame for his son's death.

Tragic: The father of Corporal Josh Hoole, 26, (pictured), who died on a training exercise on the hottest day of the year, has defended the Army and said troops should not be 'wrapped in cotton wool'

Josh, whose brother Tyrone is a soldier too, was on an exercise as part of a selection programme for the Platoon Sergeants' Battle Course.

His father, from Ecclefechan, Dumfries and Galloway, said: 'It was a normal run which took place with no extra beastings and was done within the confines laid down by the Army.

'He was about 200 metres from the end and he told someone he wasn't feeling too good and then he collapsed.

'Then members of the Army around him and the medics did their best to save him.'

The cause of Josh's death has yet to be established.

But in the days since his death some politicians have questioned the Army's practice of training in high temperatures.

Lawyers who represented one of the would-be SAS troops said that if this was another heat-related case it would be 'unforgivable'.

Police launched an immediate inquiry and those leading the march were questioned.

The Ministry of Defence also launched an investigation into Josh's death minutes after he returned from an eight-mile test march in full kit weighing 55lb.

Relatives of the 26-year-old have said he was 'a dedicated soldier' who 'just loved the army'. He was due to marry his fiancee Rachael McKie (right) later this year

Despite this, Mr Hoole said placing more checks on the Army's training methods would treat soldiers like they were wrapped in cotton wool.

He criticised politicians for questioning the Army's practice of training in high temperatures and demanding changes in procedures.

'Josh wouldn't have been happy with the way that people have had a knee-jerk reaction straight away simply because it was the hottest day of the year,' said Mr Hoole.

'He always pushed himself 100 per cent. He always gave his all. He led by example.

'Even if he was taking part in the Carlisle parkrun with me, he would be pushing himself 100 per cent, leaving his old dad in his wake.

'But he was also a very caring young man who would help anybody. All those who knew him were blessed to spend time with him.'

And Mr Hoole, who spent 24 years with the Devonshire & Dorset regiment, added: 'Josh wouldn't have wanted the soldiers that were with him, or the medics, to feel any personal blame. He was doing his job and he knew the risks.

His father Phillip, 54, a former sergeant major, says the Army's tough training isn't to blame for his son's death. Corporal Josh Hoole is pictured at the 'RIFLES 7' passing out parade on July 10 this year

Rifles soldiers pictured training in the Brecon Beacons the day after Corporal Josh Hoole's death (file photo)

'The way the MPs are talking, if there were more checks and balances placed on the Army and they were wrapped in cotton wool the MPs would ultimately be responsible for a lack of duty of care.

'Being a soldier by the very nature of the job means that at times you have to fight in various countries in extreme climatic conditions.

'There's a phrase which is simply put 'train hard fight easy'.

'Josh was proud to be a member of the British army, just as his brother Ty is.'

Josh's funeral will take place in Ecclefechan tomorrow, where the procession will make its way down the town's High Street.

He was due to best man at Tyrone's wedding to Carey Taylor, 25, this weekend in Edinburgh. The wedding is still expected to go ahead.