GAZETTE & HERALD: STREETS fell quiet over North Wiltshire as all those touched by the Hercules tragedy paid their last respects to the victims.

At 6.45pm on Tuesday, February 8, ten hearses crept out of RAF Lyneham escorted by police.

They passed the bouquets of flowers and began the slow journey to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon where the bodies were to be formally identified.

The coffins were covered in Union flags, a reminder that these brave men had served their country well.

Hundreds gathered along the route, bitterly cold winds no reason not to pay respects to those who gave their lives for freedom. Complete silence was almost universally observed and tears streamed freely from some as the emotion of the evening became too much.

Some bowed their heads, some crossed themselves, some stood to attention and others just stared in shocked disbelief as people paid their last respects in their own way.

A child stood and counted the hearses one by one. The innocence pulled at the heartstrings as one imagined children, families, and friends who had lost their loved ones in a cruel way.

People came out of pubs and their houses as they saw the flashing blue lights of the rolling escort.

When the hearses reached Wootton Bassett at 7pm they were greeted by a high street packed full of people. Slowing by the war memorial, unveiled only in October, the Parade Marshall of the Wootton Bassett Royal British Legion called their members to attention.

Wootton Bassett Mayor, Coun Susan Cooksley, laid a wreath with Wootton Bassett's Royal British Legion President, George Richardson.

Coun Cooksley said: "Ten is just a number until you see ten hearses go past."

Wiltshire Coroner David Masters will later release the bodies to the families in order for the funerals to take place.

Inquests will be opened but it is not yet known when they will be resumed.