I'LL be attending this week's parade to mark the Mercian Regiment getting the freedom of our Borough - and I hope many local people will turn out to show their support and their appreciation for Britain's armed forces.

I want to congratulate the council for organising this important event as it gives the whole of our community the opportunity to pay their tribute to the bravery of our armed forces and the important work they do to protect us all.

We all of us owe the armed forces an enormous debt. They fight for freedom and democracy and the values that make Britain the best country in the world to live in. They represent everything that is best about our country and their record of courage, service and sacrifice is an example to us all.

The parade sets off from Vicar Street at 12.30pm, will travel along High Street, Market Place, New Street, Priory Road, Ednam Road and St James's Road, before coming to an end in the Council Car Park.

The March will honour more than 100 soldiers who were granted the freedom of the borough last October. The service personnel are from The Mercian Regiment, and will be represented by the Second and Third battalions of the Worcesters and Foresters and the Staffords. The Mercian Regiment was formed last September with the merger of the Staffordshire, Worcester and Sherwood Foresters and Cheshire Regiments.