FOUR Royal Marines were given a rousing send-off on Tuesday at the start of their three-day, 100-mile speed march.

They left from Royal Wootton Bassett’s war memorial en route to the National Memorial Arbor-etum in Staffordshire.

L/Cpl Robert French and Marines David Trippett, Dan Thomas and Scott Eveleigh aim to raise at least £5,000 for the Royal British Legion, in memory of Royal Marines killed or injured in Afghanistan.

Seventy who made their final journey of repatriation through Wootton Bassett will be commemorated by the 70 Remembrance Poppy crosses which the marchers received, to place at the arboretum.

The four, carrying all their kit, thanked Royal Wootton Bassett for the way in which townspeople and visitors have honoured the fallen, over the past four years.

L/Cpl French said: “All of us have had someone close to us die, and have seen our friends injured, but we have also seen the great work the Royal British Legion does.

“Without their help, some of these lads wouldn’t be walking around, able to carry on a normal life. Some have even been able to get back into sport.”

The marchers plan to arrive at the arboretum by 11am on Saturday.