THE marching band is set to strike up as hero soldiers march through Worcester’s streets.

Troops from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), The Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH), and the Grenadier Guards, parade through the city centre today.

They will be wearing the same type of battledress uniforms they wore to fight the Taliban – all three units have been in action in Afghanistan in recent months.

The only thing the fighting men and women of the British Army will be facing, however, are cheering crowds, and among the public will be many friends and family, as the units recruit locally.

Roger Berry, city mayor, said it was “a great honour” for the city, with the Grenadiers and Mercians exercising the freedom of the city, and the Hussars in the city for a homecoming parade.

As mayor he will take the troops’ salute as they march by the Guidhall, where the pipes and drums of the QRH will play.

The parade, including veterans, and band of the Grenadiers will muster at Quay Street.

At 11am, they will march off into Broad Street, turning right into High Street where it passes the front of the Guildhall.

The parade then turns left into Pump Street, and then left again into The Shambles, before turning into St Swithun’s Street, again along Broad Street, to muster out at Quay Street.

Once finished, there will be a formal reception at the Guildhall.

The rank and file soldiers and their families have already been invited to Worcester Racecourse, where entrance to the central enclosure is – for the first time ever – free.

For the soldiers a big lunch – paid for by the county’s businesses – is also being laid on at noon, in recognition of their service.

A full card of racing starts shortly afterwards, from 2pm, with collections on the day in aid of Help For Heroes.

Jenny Cheshire, racecourse commercial manager, said: “We have been putting the plans together for this raceday for several months now and are very much looking forward to these coming to fruition.

“We particularly look forward to welcoming the active servicemen and women as well as the veterans and their families following the march in the city during the morning.”

Providing entertainment at the racecourse is the Army’s Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band, and the choir of Thursfields Solicitors, Worcester.

• Armed Forces Day is on Saturday, June 30, with a national event being held in Plymouth on the south coast.

The route

The parade will start in Quay Street at 11am, after which it will go along:
• Broad Street
• High Street
• Pump Street
• The Shambles
• St Swithin’s Street
• Broad Street
• Finishing back in Quay Street