Prayers for Mersey Nimrod victims

Most of the men were based at RAF Kinloss in Scotland Enlarge Image

Three Merseyside men among the 14 servicemen killed when an RAF Nimrod aircraft crashed in Afghanistan last year have been remembered in prayers.

Flt Lt Allan Squires, 39, from Clatterbridge, Flt Lt Steven Swarbrick, 28, and Sgt John Langton, 29, both from Liverpool, were among those who died.

RAF Kinloss and the families of those who died marked the anniversary of the crash privately.

But prayers were said at St Columba's and St Mary's churches on the base.

The station commander, Group Capt Jerry Kessell, said: "One year on, we feel the loss just as greatly."

'Precious memories'

He added: "Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the families of those suffering from the loss of such a great bunch of guys."

In a statement, the families said: "It is very hard to believe that one year has passed.

"The pain is still as deep, we all miss such a wonderful group of men whose lives were tragically robbed on the ill-fated Nimrod XV230.

"Our lives will never be the same, a void will always remain. They will never be forgotten and we cherish our very precious memories."

A fuel leak is thought to have been responsible for the Nimrod crash.

The RAF has insisted that Nimrod safety has never been compromised.