Soldiers from the Mercian Regiment are parading around Chester city centre this weekend as they continue preparations for deployment to Kenya.

The regiment recruits from Cheshire, Wirral and Manchester and last year transferred its 2nd Battalion (2 Mercian) from Northern Ireland to Dale Barracks on the outskirts of Chester as part of the Army 2020 Future Structures plan.

On Saturday, more than 60 soldiers from A Company, 2 Mercian, will exercise their right to the freedom of the city, beginning the march from outside Chester Castle at 11.30am.

Regimental Mascot, Private Derby XXX – a ram who made national headlines by switching on the Christmas Lights in Ashbourne – will lead the troops with the Band of The Mercian Regiment and Prince of Wales Division. The ram is actually paid a wage which goes towards upkeep and rations.

A salute will be taken outside EE on Eastgate Street by local dignitaries, including Lord Mayor of Chester, Bob Rudd.

Private AndrewThomas, 22, from Chester, who will take part in the march, said: “Parades are very enjoyable, and I get a huge sense of pride every time I march through a town or city. It will be particularly poignant as this is my hometown, and perhaps even more so knowing my family are in the crowd. The reception we get is always great, and it is good to know we are appreciated.”

Major Steve Hayes, company commander of A Company said: “The parade is an excellent opportunity for the soldiers of 2 Mercian to refresh the links with the communities they come from, and thank them for their ongoing fantastic support.

“With an exciting and diverse year of training ahead, culminating in deployment to Kenya, the support the soldiers receive from the public provides a reassuring foundation to move forward from a period of dynamic soldiering.”

Following its return from Afghanistan, the battalion has deployed to Lithuania, Cyprus and Uganda during the past 12 months. These exercises will conclude with Exercise Allied Spirit in early May. Here, elements of 2 Mercian will deploy to Kenya to conduct a full range of military tasks including live firing exercises. They will then operate in the battle group context, with support from mortars, anti-tanks, snipers, reconnaissance, artillery, engineers and aviation, to demonstrate the full range of capabilities of a modern Infantry battalion in the British Army.

The Regimental Support Team will be outside The Castle with a recruiting stand. For further information, visit the Mercian Regiment section of the army website or visit their Facebook page.