SIX Territorial Army soldiers based at Fox Barracks, Chester, are assisting with venue security at the Olympic Games in London.

The soldiers all serve with C (Cheshire) Squadron Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry (RMLY) and have been mobilised to assist with the Ministry of Defence’s support to the civil and Olympic authorities.

They will work as members of the venue security force alongside G4S and civilian volunteers at Olympic Games venues. They will conduct vehicle screening, pedestrian screening and perimeter security tasks, similar to checks carried out at major international airports.

Defence is providing a contribution of 3,500 personnel to the venue security force for the entire 64-day period, rising to 7,500 for the 17-day period of the Olympic Games.

Captain Mark Hodgkinson, the permanent staff administration officer (PSAO) for C Squadron, said: “We have a proud tradition of volunteer service in Cheshire having been raised in 1797 at Tabley.

“It’s great for us, as a Cheshire unit, to be asked to send some of our soldiers to support this historic national sporting occasion.”

The RMLY was the last regiment to fight on horse back and remains part of the Royal Armoured Corps. It is currently recruiting so if you are aged 18-43 and want to find out more about your local TA Cavalry, visit Fox Barracks Chester any Thursday night.