The widow and mother of a Royal Marine from Taunton killed in Afghanistan have comforted each other as his body returned to British soil.

Corporal Christopher Lewis Harrison, 26, of 40 Commando, died on May 9 while on foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand Province.

After a private chapel ceremony for his family at RAF Lyneham, a hearse carrying his Union Flag-draped coffin was driven to the high street of nearby Wootton Bassett, for a memorial procession.

As has become tradition, shopkeepers, soldiers and Royal British Legion members turned out to pay tribute to the soldier.

Cpl Harrison’s widow Rebecca and his mother, Gill Harrison reached out and touched the windows of the hearse as it was driven by.

As the procession paused by the war memorial – which was covered in floral tributes – roses were placed on the hearse by relatives and friends.

Cpl Harrison’s best friend James Ballard, who went to school with him, said Cpl Harrison took his job seriously but reassured his friends and family by making light of his profession.

He said: “He was absolutely fearless.

“I didn’t want him to go. I had a bad feeling but he said, ‘No, I love it, because it’s just paintball in the desert’.

“I’m gutted, absolutely gutted. He always said ‘Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine’.”

Another close friend Joe Fowler said: “I know it gets thrown around a lot but the only way you can describe him is a legend – a legend and a hero.

“Every memory I have of him is laughter.”

Michael Harrison, Cpl Harrison’s uncle, said: “I’m just proud he was trying to make a difference doing something, trying to do something good with his life.”