THE body of a soldier from Liverpool who was killed in Afghanistan was returned to the UK.

Corporal Simon Hornby, 29, of the 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, was killed by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol in the Nad-e-Ali area of Helmand on Saturday.

The body of the Halewood soldier arrived at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire by military jet, which was met by his family ahead of a private ceremony.

Also flown back home were Lance Corporal David Kirkness, 24, and Rifleman James Brown, 18, both of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who died when two suicide bombers on a motorbike blew themselves up outside Sangin, in Helmand Province, on December 15.

Hearses carrying their Union flag-draped coffins were brought through the high street of nearby Wootton Bassett, en route to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, where post-mortem examinations will take place.

As has become tradition, hundreds of British Legion members, former servicemen, shoppers and well-wishers lined the street in silence to pay their respects.

Friends and relatives sobbed as the coffins came into view and paused by the war memorial for around four minutes.

Dozens of roses were placed on the three hearses with weeping mourners touching the glass windows.

Around 45 members of Cpl Hornby’s family and friends, all wearing yellow “homecoming” ribbon badges, made the trip by coach to Wootton Bassett from Liverpool.

His father, Joe, comforted wife Julie, son Adam and daughters Julie-Ann and Becky.

As the standard bearers lowered their flags after the hearses moved on, the Hornby family prompted a round of applause.

This week his wife, Holly, described Cpl Hornby, who had previously served in Iraq, as her “hero”.