Newcastle public to welcome troops home

The streets of Newcastle will be lined with hundreds of people to watch a homecoming parade by soldiers on their return from Afghanistan.

At 11:30 GMT, more than 250 troops from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will march through the city to the music of their marching band.

On Friday, it will be the turn of the Light Dragoons, who will begin their parade at 12:15 GMT.

Both companies are past recipients of the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and so they will light up the city’s streets with bayonets foxed, bands playing and colours flying high.

Lord mayor of Newcastle, councillor Mike Cookson, said each and every one of these troops deserves a hero’s welcome and that is exactly what they will get.

"They have all done a fantastic job and I would like to pay tribute to their courage and I hope they enjoy their time in their adopted city," he added.

Explorer Ben Fogle recently wrote in the Daily Mail about how brave the servicemen and women in Afghanistan are, claiming that climbing mountains and trekking in the South Pole are nothing compared to what they do everyday.

Posted by Daniel Ohio