15401/2A multi-faith chapel in the grounds of RAF Lyneham could be restored as a lasting memorial to the airmen who died when their Hercules crashed in Iraq.

But money is already pouring in from station veterans for a memorial window at the village church.

Cheques for £50 and £100 have been dropping through the letterbox of Jim Semple, founder of the Lyneham Old Boys' Association, from other veterans wanting to do something to help.

Mr Semple, 70, said more than £3,800 had been raised so far, with more money arriving every day.

He said it is hoped it will be spent on a stained glass window at St Michael and All Angels Church in Lyneham, which will bear the names of the lost crew.

Mr Semple spent three years as an engine mechanic at the base in the 1950s. He said the strength of feeling from other veterans had been incredible.

"I couldn't believe it when the first cheque came through my door," he said. "That was for £50 and I lay awake all night worrying what to do with it. In the end I sent out 700 letters and the money has kept on coming.

"The feeling of the lads in the association is so strong towards the station it's been unbelievable. It was their second home and where they became men. I can't explain it.

"There has been so much sympathy felt for the families, and I've had lots of letters. This has really touched people."

Mr Semple has asked for any more donations to be sent by February 28 so he can start making plans for the memorial.

"We didn't want anything at the station because if it closed down the memorial would be lost. We thought if we put something in the church it would be there forever.

"47 Squadron decided a couple of years ago to pay for a stained glass window at the church so we would help pay for that and then put a plaque underneath."

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said he was working with the base on ideas for a memorial.

Another suggestion is a memorial garden but plans will not be finalised until base commander Paul Oborn returns from leave.

Mr Gray said he expected the RAF to lead the way in a permanent memorial for the airmen.

"It would be nice to have something at the base but there is also a new war memorial in Wootton Bassett. Something could be added to that," he said.

The Lyneham-based aircraft was en route from Baghdad to the city of Balad when it came down on January 30. Eight of the ten men on board were from the station.

Families of the dead men still face an agonising wait for their loved ones' funerals to take place.

After the bodies were bought home to Lyneham last Tuesday they were taken to the mortuary at Great Western Hospital in Swindon where post mortem examinations were carried out.

But Wiltshire Coroner David Masters said the bodies would not be released until inquests have been opened, which could take another few weeks. It is understood the delay lies in formally identifying the remains.

Coroner's officer John Francis yesterday said they were still waiting for the results of DNA tests to identify the bodies. He said an inquest would be opened in due course.

Mr Gray, who met with all ten families after the repatriation, said the next few weeks would be a difficult time for them.

"They are all being incredibly brave," he said. "The coroner said he would be working to release the bodies in a couple of weeks."

Messages from all over the world have been pouring into the village website and floral tributes are still being placed outside the gates of the base.

On Saturday a minute's silence was held before Swindon Town's match.