THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Worcester city centre to welcome nearly 800 soldiers home.

Members of the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), the Queen’s Royal Hussars and the Grenadier Guards, along with veterans from each of the three regiments and the Royal British Legion and the Band of the Grenadier Guards paraded through the city.

The parade was a homecoming event for both the Mercians and the Hussars, who recently returned from Afghanistan.

It was also a Freedom March for the Mercians and the Grenadier Guards, who were granted the Freedom of Worcester in 1993.

Cheers rose, applause broke out and Union flags fluttered from 11am, when the parade started in Quay Street.

The troops then followed the route via Broad Street, the High Street, The Shambles and St Swithin’s Street to mark Armed Forces Day.

Ahead of the parade music was provided by the Pipes and Drums of the Queen’s Royal Hussars outside the Guildhall.

The expectant crowd was in high spirits as they gathered to witness the proud moment and event got under way to the sound of the bells of All Saints Church, Quay Street, tolling 11 times.

On High Street, people of all ages stood waving Union flags as they clapped and cheered as the parade passed outside the Guildhall, down Pump Street and into The Shambles.

At the end of the march, many troops gathered for a civic reception and medal ceremony in the Guildhall, while the rank and file soldiers and their families made their way to Worcester Racecourse to enjoy a lunch paid for by the county’s businesses.