TROOPS at Carver Barracks are set for a heroes welcome when they march through the town for a homecoming parade next Friday (October 12).

People are invited to the event, which will see serviceman from the 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) march through the streets of Saffron Walden to mark their return from a six-month tour in Afghanistan.

The parade will follow a memorial service at the Wimbish barracks in the morning. There will also be a medal ceremony in the afternoon.

Accompanied by a marching band, Armed Forces personnel from the regiment will begin the parade at 12.30pm from the Common car park. The troops will continue down Common Hill, along Hill Street and up Market Street to the Market Square.

At Market Square they will salute the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, and Uttlesford District Council chairman Cllr Christina Cant. Dignitaries from Saffron Walden Town Council will also be present.

The commanding officer of the regiment, Lt Col Simon Bell, will speak and thank the people of Uttlesford before Cllr Cant says a few words.

Following that, the regiment will march from the Market Square up Market Hill, along Church Street and back down Common Hill to the Common car park for 1.20pm.

The regiment forms part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Task Force, and members of that Task Force who are not in 33 Engineer Regiment will also be present.

Cllr Christina Cant, chairman of Uttlesford District Council, said: “We look forward to welcoming 33 Engineer Regiment to Saffron Walden.

“They have been performing an incredibly difficult and valuable job in Afghanistan for the last six months and I am sure that people will want to come out and show their appreciation on the parade route.”