The streets of Wootton Bassett were lined with people today who wanted to pay their respects to four brave soldiers returned home, including 21-year-old Anthony Hotine from Warminster.

Marine Hotine, of Alpha company 40 Commando, was killed by an explosion in the town of Sangin, in Afghanistan, on June 2 while on foot patrol with Afghan soldiers.

His body was brought home along with Mark Chandler, 32, of the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, and Alan Cochran, 23, and Terry Webster, 24, both of the Mercian Regiment, 1st Battalion.

Their bodies were flown into RAF Lyneham at around 11am this morning, before private services for the families of the deceased were held at the air base.

A procession was then held through the High Street of nearby town Wootton Bassett at about 2.35pm, where Marine Hotine's family, including his parents Nicola and Neil and younger brothers Callum, 12, and Kieren, 17, were standing to pay their respects, along with his friends and colleagues.

Bells rang out as the town fell silent for 10 minutes as the hearses were driven through the High Street and hundreds paid their respects, some standing in silence while fellow Marines gave a salute.

The procession stopped outside the Old Town Hall, where a Union flag was at half mast, to allow family and friends to place flowers on top of the hearses.

Their were tears and cries from the crowd as the soldiers passed through the town and Marine Hotine's youngest brother Callum had to be comforted by his mother as the emotions became too much.

Marine Hotine, a former Kingdown School pupil, who lived with his family in Swift Mead, Warminster, has been described as “an amazing son, big brother and grandson".

Warminster mayor Cllr Sue Fraser was joined by deputy mayor, Pip Ridout, and town crier, Phil Seddon at the repatriation.

Cllr Fraser said: “It’s a very personal time for the family of Anthony, but we wanted to be here to show our respect.”

Marine Hotine’s death brings the total number of British military killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 294.