Leyland welcomed the Cavalry regiment of The King's Royal Hussars this morning.

The soldiers exercised their Freedom of the Borough of South Ribble with a parade through the town.

Also on display was a Challenger 2, the Army's main battle tank, and two of its Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles.

The KRH has long and proud connections with the North West and with Lancashire in particular.

Many of its troops are recruited from this region and, although its soldiers are currently based in barracks in Tidworth, Hampshire, the regiment's northern administrative headquarters is based within Fulwood Barracks in Preston.

The 14/20th Hussars, which amalgamated with the Royal Hussars in the 1990s, was first given the Freedoms of South Ribble and Preston in 1992.

Major Trevor Winchcombe, KRH HQ Squadron Leader, said: "We are delighted to be able to exercise the freedom of South Ribble and Preston as it has been five years since we last had the opportunity to.

"Many of the soldiers on parade are from the Lancashire area, and all have served on operations in either Afghanistan or Iraq in the last 12 months.

"We are here to reconfirm our ties with the local community."

The troops will exercise the Freedom of Preston tomorrow.