Returning soldiers parade in city

About 200 soldiers took part in the parade

Soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan have paraded through the streets of Hereford.

Up to 200 soldiers from 1st the Queen's Dragoon Guards and B Company 1st Battalion, the Rifles, assembled at Castle Green before taking a salute.

The parade came as the body of Rifleman William Aldridge, 18, of Bredenbury, Herefordshire, was repatriated after his death in Afghanistan.

The Queen's Dragoon Guards' Major John Smith said the men were "resilient".

He added: "I think with every fatality, it's a job we are in and we have to accept that there are risks that we have to take everywhere we go.

"The guys are very resilient and they deal with it and it's actually remarkable how the guys do deal with it."

He said the soldiers were very proud to see the crowds of people in Hereford out to greet them.

He added: "They're so proud knowing the local community are behind us in everything we do and it's a great sense of achievement to be honest with you."

The Rifles descend from the Herefordshire Light Infantry while the Queen's Dragoon Guards recruit from border counties.