THE emotional return of East Lancashire soldiers should spur the public on to attend their homecoming parade, the Royal British Legion says.

On Friday night, 88 troops from the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment arrived back in England following a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

But they were left devastated on the parade ground when they learned of the death of a Duke of Lancaster’s soldier still serving in the conflict-torn country with the 2nd Battalion.

He was named yesterday as Sgt Peter Rayner, 34, of Bradford.

He was killed in an expl-osion in Helmand Province on Friday while on patrol.

1Lancs had spent six months working on the front line in Afghanistan. 2Lancs is based in Cyprus, and its soldiers are deployed to Afghanistan when required to assist troops.

On December 1, East Lancashire troops from 1Lancs will march through the streets of Blackburn following a homecoming service at the cathedral.

The public is being urged to show their support by lining the streets.

Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle, said: “A lot of people realise the huge debt of gratitude we have towards our soldiers who have been putting their lives on the line.

“I believe it is vital that we show how much we value what men and women are doing for us over there and get behind them.”

Brian Thompson, president of the Darwen branch of the Royal British Legion, said its members were to meet on Thursday to discuss how they can contribute to the event.

The former military policeman said: “We are very concerned about everything that is happening in Afghanistan and we’re trying to give support to everybody – the people who are injured and their families.

"It’s a great burden to carry on your own.”