THE BODY of a Chorley Royal Marine, killed by a landmine in Afghanistan, has been returned to his family.

Jonathan "Dutchy" Holland, 23, of 45 Commando was killed last Wednesday while on patrol in the Sangin Valley in the country's notoriously dangerous Helmand province.

His body was flown into RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, yesterday where it was brought off a plane drapped in a Union Jack as part of a private ceremony.

The Oxfordshire coroner opened and adjourned his inquest, and marine Holland's body was then handed to his family.

Details of his funeral have yet to be released. His family have been coming to terms with a double tragedy as just three days before Jonathan's death, his aunt Olga Cuff, was found dead at the foot of the stairs of her home in Beaconsfield Terrace, Chorley.

Marine Holland's mother Bernadette said he was planning to quit the forces to set up home with his fiancee Hayley and go into business with his younger brother.

Jonathan's bosses said he was an exceptional soldier who was popular with this colleagues.

He joined the Royal Marines in 2002, and joined the 45 Commando unit after passing out of Commando Training.

He was the longest serving member of Whiskey Company.

Bernadette his mother said: "My family and I have been overwhelmed by the huge number of cards, letters and messages of sympathy we have received from local people who knew Jonathan, friends from further away and from people we don't know, especially other mothers of marines and soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We would like to express our thanks to all of them and to the Royal Marines who have given us so much support. .

"We ask that people don't send flowers, but donations to Derian House Children's Hospice or the RN/RM Dependents Fund, through the undertakers, Carl Kenyon"