HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Wootton Bassett to pay their last respects to five dead soldiers.

Hearse after hearse, carrying coffins draped with Union flags were driven slowly through the High Street during the solemn occasion.

The bodies of the soldiers arrived back at RAF Lyneham yesterday.

The men were all from 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, based at Colchester in Essex.

Privates Nathan Cuthbertson, David Murray, 19, and Daniel Gamble, 22, were killed by a suicide bomber last Sunday.

Lance Corporal James Bateman, 29, and Private Jeff Doherty, 20, were killed when they came under Taliban fire on Thursday.

Their deaths take the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since November 2001 to 102.

A moving ceremony, attended by loved ones, took place at the rear exit ramp of the C-17 plane, which flew the bodies home.

After the repatriation the bodies of the soldiers were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford.

War veteran Ken Scott, 93, from Wootton Bassett, said: "I want to cry for these boys. I feel it is my duty to come here and honour them.

"I can't imagine what their families are going through.

"I have been to many repatriations and I always salute my comrades."

Rear Admiral Tony Johnson-Burt, the commander of the Joint Helicopter Command, said: "It is devastatingly sad and we will support the families with counselling and help them make funeral arrangements.

"The soldiers were part of team who are trying to make a difference in Afghanistan.

"I think this will make the rest of their battalion even stronger and more determined to defeat the Taliban."

Wootton Bassett's mayor Mike Leighfield said: "We have a close affiliation with RAF Lyneham. We've welcomed the soldiers back and are giving them the best send-off with so many here to say goodbye."

Mother-of-three Karen Smith, said: "I feel so sad - it is terrible these young people are not with us any more.

"My son Alastair, who is just 18, has just gone out to serve in Afghanistan. I hope it's not him coming back next time."

Peter Michaels, 28, from Wootton Bassett, said: "It is such a sad day.

"I wanted to pay my respects to five brave soldiers who fought for their country so honourably.

"They, and others who have lost their lives, and those that continue to serve in war-torn areas, are heroes in my eyes."

Great-grandfather James Innes, 72, from Rodbourne Cheney, added: "They are so young. I feel for their families."

To see RAF footage of the repatriation click here