A PARADE is being held in Trowbridge to honour the armed services for the dedication they have shown in war zones in the Middle East.

The event will take place in the centre of the county town on June 27 starting at Trowbridge Park at 10.30am.

There will be an address and inspection before the troops march through the town centre at 11am.

A reception will be held for the troops at the Civic Hall after the parade where they will march along Polebarn Road down Roundstone Street, Silver Street, Fore Street, Castle Street and Market Street before returning to Trowbridge Park.

It has been organised by Wiltshire County Council with the support of West Wiltshire District Council, Trowbridge Town Council and the Royal British Legion.

About 400 troops representing the units that comprise 1 Mechanised Brigade that has its headquarters in Tidworth, will take part in the parade. They will be accompanied by The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals.

The 1 Mechanised Brigade, together with the Kings Royal Hussars that are part of 12 Mechanised Brigade, returned from a tour of duty in Iraq in December 2007, while Bulford-based 12 Mechanised Brigade HQ returned from Afghanistan in October 2007.

County council chairman Brigadier Robert Hall said: "Wiltshire has strong links with the armed forces and this parade has been organised to enable us to say thank you to them for their dedication and hard work in both Afghanistan and Iraq."

The march marks a weekend of activities organised by Trowbridge Town Council under the Spotlight on Trowbridge & Veteran's Weekend banner. Any organisations interested in taking part should contact Maryrose Mantle on (01225) 765072.