LYNEHAM villagers are beginning to come to terms with the enormity of the Hercules crash.

The village is still quiet and sombre, five days after the tragedy which killed eight airmen from the RAF base.

But Cathy Stanford, the headteacher at Lyneham Infants School, said the village community was strong and would recover.

The school was directly affected as the wife of the pilot of the aircraft Flt Lt David Stead is a teacher at the school.

Michelle was on maternity leave with her four-month-old daughter when it happened.

Mrs Stanford said: "We have set up a book of condolence in the school because of our close links with the crash. So far we have had children, teachers and parents come in to sign it.

"It has been a extremely hard week for everyone at the school, but everyone has coped well, and the teachers have been asked to relax the curriculum.

"We have had to introduce a special plan from the Local Education Authority to be able to cope with the grieving, and we have been telling the children here and in the juniors that it is okay to be upset and have a little weep, because it prepares them for whatever hardships they may encounter in the future."

Visitors have writted their thoughts and feelings in the book of condolences having them on sticky notes before putting them into the book.

Nine RAF personnel and one soldier died in the crash north of Baghdad the biggest single loss of life to hit British forces since military action in Iraq began.

Among the dead were two men from Swindon: Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, of Griffiths Close, Stratton St Margaret, and Flight Sergeant Mark Gibson, 34, of Gairlock Close, Sparcells.

The others who died were Squadron Leader Patrick Marshall, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith, Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel, Chief Technician Richard Brown, Sergeant Robert O'Connor, Corporal David Williams and Acting Lance Corporal Steven Jones.

MoD statement

the investigating team has completed its search of the crash site north of Baghdad, Iraq.

A statement from the MoD said: "A thorough and extensive search has taken place with the assistance of US forces.

"This process has now been completed. Sadly, the process of identifying remains may take some time to complete, but repatriation to the UK will take place as soon as possible.

"The department's priority remains the families of those who were on board the aircraft and close contact is being kept with them.

"We are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of the crash," the statement continued.

"The head of the investigation team has visited the site and remains in theatre.

"We are satisfied that in the operational circumstances as thorough a search as possible has been conducted and all the available evidence needed has been collected to aid ongoing investigation."

It thanked US forces for their invaluable assistance and rapid response after the crash.

The investigating team are now trying to establish the cause of the crash but the MoD has admitted that a conclusion could take months.

Anthony Osborne