“THE bond between the public and the armed forces runs very deep here, and from today it is going to get deeper.”

Those were the words of Prime Minister David Cameron as RAF Brize Norton officially took over repatriation ceremonies for fallen service personnel.

A memorial garden, in Norton Way, Brize Norton, for mourners to gather and pay their respects was opened yesterday. It will take on the duty from Wootton Bassett, where people have gathered in the past four years.

The Union flag that once flew over the Wiltshire town was presented by its mayor to representatives from Carterton and Brize Norton.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, blessed the garden, and the flag was raised to the sound of a bugle.

The flag will be lowered again next week, when the first repatriation to RAF Brize Norton takes place.

Mr Cameron, who is also MP for Witney, said: “Taking on military repatriations is a great responsibility for Brize Norton.

“But, with the changes that have been made on the base and this memorial garden, you are already rising to this challenge.”

Mr Cameron also paid tribute to service personnel, describing them as the people “who make our country great”.

Hundreds of people, including three coachloads from Wootton Bassett, attended the ceremony.

Last Friday, RAF Brize Norton opened a £2.8m repatriation centre in the base, which will care for families of the fallen.

Royal British Legion Oxfordshire vice-president Jim Lewendon said: “What they have achieved with this memorial garden in such a short time is excellent.”

The first repatriation will take place next Thursday, after a Royal Marine from Reading was killed in Afghanistan. Check oxford mail.co.uk for timings.