AN INQUEST into the deaths of six serviceman, one from Kent, who died in a tragic incident during the early days of the Iraq war, is being opened today.

Lieut Marc Lawrence, 26, from Westgate, near Margate, perished with his colleagues when two Royal Navy Sea King mark 7 airborne early warning helicopters collided over the Arabian Gulf in March 2003.

They belonged to 849 Squadron operating from HMS Ark Royal and were taking part in surveillance work for British forces at the time.

The hearing, in Oxford, will look at issues like maintenance, safety procedures and training.

Lt Lawrence was a keen musician and water sports enthusiast. He was engaged to be married to his then fiancee Elaine Cleaver the summer after the accident.

The former Garlinge Juniors and Chatham House schoolboy joined the Navy after leaving Plymouth University.

He was a talented euphonium player, attaining Grade VIII, and a member of Thanet Music Centre and Kent Youth Wind Orchestra.

His interest in music continued throughout university, and he played in the ship’s band on board HMS Ark Royal.

In the weeks after the tragedy his mother, Ann, said: "I know in him there was a need to do something valuable with his life. We are immensely proud of him."

The inquest is also into the deaths of Lieut Philip Green, 30, from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire; Lieut Antony King, 35, from Helston, Cornwall; Lieut Philip West, 32, from Budock Water, Cornwall; Lieut James Williams, 28, from Falmouth, Cornwall; and Lieut Andrew Wilson, 36, from Exeter.

All of the men were based at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, near Helston.