HUNDREDS of people lined the streets to honour the heroes of Afghanistan as they marched through Ellesmere Port.
The 1st Battalion the Mercian regiment were met with rapturous applause from friends, family and wellwishers as they paraded down Whitby Road to the Civic Hall after fighting the Taliban for six months.
Children from Cambridge Road Primary School waved flags as the soldiers passed and people watched from windows as the battalion marched through the centre of town at lunchtime.
The regiment marched along Civic Hall Service Road, Cambridge Road, Whitby Road and Civic Way before arriving at the Civic Hall where they were met by the mayor Gareth Anderson.
During the tour the Battalion, which recruits predominantly from Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, lost 12 soldiers.
The Mercians were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hadfield who said the men had died to make Afghanistan a better place.
He added: “It’s not been without a cost but the sacrifices those men made was worth it.
“Those men were committed to their friends, their battalion and their mission and they died doing something they love.”
“The reception has been fantastic. the amount of people who turn out continually amazes me.
“I’m always amazed by the commitment the local community shows us.
“This is our way of paying tribute to the community that supports us while we’re abroad.
“The support we’ve had has been phenomenal. When you’re feeling a bit low, getting an shoebox lifts your spirits and takes you that little bit further.
“We’re very keen to maintain our connection with the community of Cheshire. It’s so pleasing to see how many come out.”
