SWORDS were drawn, bayonets were fixed and drums were struck when soldiers marched through a Suffolk seaside resort after they were granted the freedom of the town.

3 Regiment Army Air Corps, who are based at Wattisham Airfield were given the Freedom of the Town of Aldeburgh on Saturday.

The regiment were granted the honour in recognition of the close affiliation between the troops and the town.

Peter Cox, mayor of Aldeburgh said: “We are delighted to grant the Freedom of Aldeburgh to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps as a formal recognition of the links between the town and unit. We have enjoyed a close affiliation with 653 Squadron since the unit moved to Suffolk 20 years ago and look forward to celebrating that relationship and maintaining it into the future.”

The parade was led by The Band of The Parachute Regiment, setting off from Fort Green car park and taking them along High Street to Moot Hall.

There was a presentation of Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals and campaign medals earned from the Regiment’s deployment to Afghanistan last year, before an Apache flypast brought the event to a close.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas de la Rue, the Regiment’s commanding officer, said: “This was a great opportunity to give something back to the people of Aldeburgh in recognition of the support they have provided to the Regiment.”