SOLDIERS from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, which has historic links with Bury, are to stage a Freedom March through the town.

More than 100 soldiers will parade through the streets of Bury next Thursday with drums beating.

The salute will be taken outside the Town Hall by the Mayor, Cllr John Smith, and Colonel Brian Gorski, deputy colonel of the regiment.

Cllr Smith said: "Bury has long and proud links with the Fusiliers and since the regiment was first awarded the freedom of the town in 1974, they have visited us on numerous occasions.

"This, though, is the first time they have exercised their full rights." and I hope that local people will turn out on the streets on to give them a warm welcome."

The Regiment was originally formed in 1968 from an amalgamation of the Lancashire Fusiliers, Northumberland Fusiliers, the City of London Regiment, The Royal Fusiliers and the Warwickshire Fusiliers. Also expected to take part will be the Regimental mascot "Bobby", an Indian Black Buck antelope, together with members of the Lancashire Association and former members of the Regiment. The night befrore the march there will be a combined band concert at the Castle Armoury in Bury. Taking part will be the Normandy Band of the Queens Division and the Association Band and Drums, Lancashire. The concert will start at 7.30pm, tickets are priced at £6 and are available from Bury Tourist Information Centre (TIC) by telephoning 0161-764-2208.