THOUSANDS of people took to the streets of Wrexham to welcome the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards on a march for their 50th anniversary.

The Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Arwel Gwynn Jones, inspected the Regiment with the Lord Lieutenant and they also took the salute.

The Guards, who have recently completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan and were the subject of a BBC Wales documentary, have a long association with Wales, which is reflected in their nickname, The Welsh Cavalry.

Wales is their main recruiting area and many serving with them today are from Wrexham and the surrounding area. The Regiment’s Headquarters and museum are located in Cardiff.

The Guards assembled on Queen’s Square and marched to Llwyn Isaf Green. They then marched to Rhosddu Road, Argyll Street and Hope Street, where the Mayor and Lord Lieutenant took the salute opposite the former Marks & Spencer’s building. Finally they proceeded to High Street, York Street, Mount Street, Salop Road and Kingsmill Road.

Throughout the day there was a recruiting display in Queen’s Square consisting of a recruiting caravan and a climbing wall.

The regimental band also played during the inspection by the mayor and during the march.