People in Oxford are being urged to line the roadside to symbolically pay their respects to the 102 soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Thames Valley Police will be providing an escort to five servicemen killed in Afghanistan in the past few days - as a call was issued to line the route as the death toll passed 100.

Privates Nathan Cuthbertson, 19, Daniel Gamble, 22, and Charles Murray, 19, of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, were the 98th, 99th and 100th soldiers to die in the conflict. Two other soldiers from the same regiment have since died.

Royal British Legion members in Oxford are preparing to line the roadside in Headington, as the cortege, escorted by police from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, approaches the John Radcliffe Hospital tomorrow.

Post-mortem examinations will be carried out at the JR before the bodies can be released to their families.

Jim Lewendon, 80, vice-chairman of the Royal British Legion in the county and chairman of the legion's club in Hadow Road, said: "It's a tragedy that these young men have died and the least we can do is stand by the roadside to pay our respects.

"Some people question why British soldiers are in Afghanistan, but it is simple - they are doing their duty for their country and they are doing an excellent job.

"I will be standing by with other British Legion members to show our support for these brave young men and their families, and it would be good if other people joined us too."

Ptes Cuthbertson, Gamble and Murray were killed on a routine patrol in Helmand Province on Sunday in a suicide bomb attack.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "The MoD welcomes people lining the route to pay their respects - it's a great tribute to the British people if they can come out and show their support for our troops in this way."

Craig Treeby, field officer for the Royal British Legion in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, said: "Members of the local legion could come with their standard and lower it as the cortege comes past.

"I served in the Parachute Brigade as a Royal Signaller and my old unit is out in Afghanistan at the moment with the Parachute Regiment, so what is happening is quite poignant."

New Marston resident Mick Haines, 67, added: "I think it would be great if there was a good crowd along to remember these lads - it's a terrible war and you have to feel sorry for their parents."

The soldiers are scheduled to leave RAF Lyneham at 4.30pm.

The cortege will be escorted through Wootton Bassett, along the M4, up the A419 and into Oxfordshire at Gable Cross on the A420, and then along the A40 northern bypass before travelling along Marsh Lane and Headley Way to the entrance of the hospital.

The cortege could arrive at the JR any time after 5pm.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris said: "I would certainly welcome people coming out to show their respect along the route."