Anger at Islamic group's Wootton Bassett march plans

The Union flag-draped coffins carrying Rifleman Aidan Howell and Sapper David Watson were driven through Wootton Bassett, in Wiltshire, for their repatriation today.

Sapper Watson, 23, of 33 Engineer Regiment - a bomb disposal expert - and Rifleman Howell, 19, of 3rd Battalion the Rifles, were killed in Afghanistan in the last week of December.

Sapper Watson was brought up in Whickham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and died of wounds sustained in a blast caused by an improvised explosive device on New Year's Eve near Patrol Base Blenheim in the Sangin region of Helmand province.

Rifleman Howell, who was born in Sidcup, Kent, died after an explosion near Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge in the Kajaki area of Helmand province on December 28.

Their repatriation comes as Islam4UK said it would apply to Wiltshire Police "in the next few days" to march through the town famous for honouring dead British troops, despite calls for it to be called off.

Anjem Choudary, leader of Islam4UK, said it was "full steam ahead" for the march campaigning for the withdrawal of British troops.

A date for the event, featuring 500 people carrying symbolic coffins, has not been set but it will not coincide with a repatriation.

Hundreds of people once again lined the streets in silent tribute as hearses carrying the coffins of the two soldiers were brought through en route to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Friends and relatives sobbed as the coffins came into view and paused by the war memorial where dozens of flowers were placed on top of the hearses with weeping mourners touching the glass windows.

A Leeds United Union flag was placed on top of the hearse carrying Rifleman Howell, a life-long fan who attended school in Rothwell, near Leeds, before joining the army in 2006.

The crowd applauded the two soldiers as their hearses were driven away and again clapped in appreciation of the 25 standard bearers from the Royal British Legion.

Friends of Rifleman Howell, Steven Stratford and Pete Bell, criticised Islam4UK for suggesting Wootton Bassett as a venue for the march.

"If they want to protest they should do it in London against the Government, not here. Wootton Bassett is where the soldiers come back, all of them, as heroes," said Mr Stratford.

Mr Bell said: "If they came to protest here there would be carnage.

"Imagine Aidan's mother and father seeing that, it's the lowest of the low.

"It's been very difficult to be here today, but we have been made very welcome by the people of Wootton Bassett.

"We all came down from Leeds by coach but I would have walked every inch of the way."

Mr Stratford said: "Aidan was a true hero, there could not have been a better friend, he would have made a day like today into fun."

Staff Sergeant Mark Banham, of 33 Engineer Regiment, brought Sapper Watson's coffin off the plane at RAF Lyneham and paid tribute to him today.

"He was a young lad but was the consummate professional and had massive potential.

"He was always at the top of everything, mentally and physically, and was extremely fit and strong but humble with it.

"There was never a job too small for him and he had an excellent sense of humour."

Stf Sgt Banham said he did not want to comment on the march but said "all soldiers welcome the support of the town".

MPs from across the Commons have signed a motion urging action by the Home Secretary and local authorities to prevent the march, which they said would be "a gross mark of disrespect" to soldiers who have died or been injured.

The motion, tabled by Tory Nigel Evans, calls on Home Secretary Alan Johnson to "urgently investigate the breaching of public order and other related offence" and urges Wootton Bassett Town Council and Wiltshire Police "to ensure that any proposed demonstration that breaches the Public Order Act 1986 be rightly refused".

But Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said he would be "surprised" if senior officers in Wiltshire seek to block the protest because any group has a right to march even if their views are "unpleasant and offensive".

He said: "Our view is we will have to deal with it, people have a right to march. People might not like it but that is the law."

He added: "It can be the case that if you ban something it becomes more popular to turn up to. You then have a mass unlawful protest.

"It will be one that requires pretty clear thinking, but it is far too early really because all we have is the threat of a march."