Student Michael Whytock, of Derry Hill, was so moved by a recent repatriation in Wootton Bassett that he composed a musical tribute to the war dead.

Mr Whytock, 20, was inspired to write Elegy For The Fallen when he joined his grandparents to see the coffins of eight servicemen being taken through the town last month.

He said: “I wrote the piece around the time when I saw the coffins going through Wootton Bassett – I was there when the eight people went through.

“That was the first one I had been to and it was very moving. I was stood opposite the families watching their loved ones going through and they were very distressed.”

Moved by what he saw, Mr Whytock, who studies music at Chichester University, performed his composition at an organ recital at Christ Church, Derry Hill.

“It starts off slowly and quite quietly and then it builds up to be quite loud in the middle before ending quietly again,” he said.

“There were mixed reactions when I played it and there were quite a few tears in the audience.“ Mr Whytock, who has been playing the organ for five years, also believes he was inspired by his father who recently served in Afghanistan.

He said: “My father is in the army and served in the Helmand Province for seven months.

“He suffered an injury, which was not serious, but I think that also inspired me.

“He is now back at home thankfully.”