Parades mark soldiers' homecoming

The battalion has completed operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan

More than 200 troops with their bayonets fixed have marched through the streets of Worthing to the sound of beating drums to mark their homecoming.

The parade in the West Sussex town, by the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, is the first of eight taking place over the next week.

The parade marks the end of operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Parades are also set for Surrey, East Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, with the Canterbury finale featuring 500 troops.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Worthing to welcome the soldiers back to the UK from their base in Germany, with the crowds four deep in places.

Although we are celebrating, we are also commemorating Lt Col Charlie Sykes

The soldiers, known as the Tigers, were led by their red-coated Kohima Band.

Prayers were said and the national anthem was played after Worthing mayor, Councillor Noel Atkins, inspected the soldiers.

After the parade, commanding officer Lt Col Charlie Sykes, said: "We have gone through a torrid time in Afghanistan in the last week or so, there is no shadow of a doubt."

Adding that the recent slew of British deaths was uppermost in many soldiers' minds, he said: "We need to remember that although we are celebrating, we are also commemorating."

Parades will take place in Portsmouth on Monday, and in Southampton and Romsey on Tuesday.

The battalion will march through Guildford on Wednesday, Lewes on Thursday, Tunbridge Wells on Friday, and Canterbury on Saturday.