Flags were flying proudly and crowds cheering wildly to salute the hero soldiers from the Mercian Regiment as they marched into Dudley.

Scores of townsfolk greeted the soldiers as they paraded through the crammed town centre. The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Ray Burston, led a civic ceremony in front of Dudley Council house to honour the regiment.

Dudley’s young men were among those marching yesterday – with their proud families joining the throngs lining the streets.

The soldiers belong to The 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment, formerly the 1st Battalion the Staffordshire Regiment.

They are preparing to move to Fallingbostel, Germany during the summer before a possible deployment overseas next year.

Children from schools across the borough were also made part of the day by leading the troops through the streets to music played by the regiment’s own 40-piece band. It was a special occasion to walk through their home town on St George’s Day. Private Daniel Hill, 20, from the Priory Estate, Dudley, says it was more special for being the first time he paraded with his battalion. “I was a cadet before I joined the full army but to see the crowds that came out to support us was fantastic,” he said.

Sergeant Matthew Foster, 24, was watched in the crowd by 61-year-old father Alan, who said: “They are all men today and to see him among his fellow soldiers is really great.”