HUNDREDS dawned on Crewe town centre to see a British Army regiment parade through Crewe before being bestowed with the Freedom of Town.

The sun shone brightly as soldiers from A Company, 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, proudly paraded through a packed Crewe town centre.

The Mercian Regiment headed to Memorial Square where they were bestowed the Freedom of Town by the mayor of Crewe, Cllr Pam Minshall.

Cllr Minshall was joined by the deputy mayor, Cllr Benn Minshall and Susan Sellers, High Sheriff of Cheshire, to mark the historic first Freedom for the Town Council.

In her speech before she presented The Mercian Regiment with the scroll, Cllr Minshall said: “The Mercian Regiment is a combination of many old regiments including the Cheshire Regiment.

“Throughout the centuries men have joined in their thousands to fight for our freedom during many conflicts.

“We join together to honour and remember them.”

Local residents, youth groups and the Royal British Legion lined the parade route and massed in their hundreds to join in Crewe Town Council honour the Mercian Regiment.

Speaking after the ceremony, Cllr Minshall said: “It was such a privilege to have been able to represent the Town today and present the Freedom to the Mercian Regiment.

“Crewe has a long and very proud association with the Regiment and we dedicated the day as a token of remembrance and respect to them all.”

Around 100 soldiers took part the parade along with Regimental Mascot, Private Derby XXX, the 30th ram to hold the title, who led the troops with the Band of The Royal Logistics Corps.

Private Alex Capper, 26, from Crewe and said: “Parades through our home towns are very enjoyable, especially in your own town when family and friends are able to watch.

“I get a real sense of pride, and they allow the public to see another side to the army.”

The parade was the second of several planned parades in The Mercian Regiment’s home countries throughout the week.