Crowds salute soldiers as Bristol and Bath give The Rifles freedom of the cities

War veterans and serving soldiers lined up alongside residents of Bristol and Bath as soldiers marched through the streets to mark their regiment being given the freedom of the two cities.

Hundreds lined the streets to salute The Rifles, the largest infantry regiment in the Army.

About 80 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion The Rifles and 40 counterparts from the Territorial Army marched alongside members of the Somerset Army Cadet Force and old comrades from the Regimental Association.

The Rifles was formed last year as an amalgamation of four light infantry and rifle regiments of the Light Division.

It became the county regiment for South West regions including Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire – and on Sunday was given the cities' freedom.

Lieutenant General Nick Parker, Colonel Commandant of The Rifles, said: "To be given the freedom means we are being adopted by the city as its regiment, and that makes us enormously proud.

"If a city asks us to be their army by conferring the freedom upon us, then it matters an enormous amount."

Lt Gen Parker presented the Mayor of Bath, Tim Ball, and the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Christopher Davies, with silver bugles, the symbol of The Rifles.

The Bath parade began at 11am at York Street and followed a circular route through the city via Queen Square, Gay Street and Milsom Street before finishing at Orange Grove.

In Bristol, soldiers began the parade in Castle Park at 2.30pm.

They marched past hundreds of spectators through The Horsefair, Cabot Circus, Broad Weir before passing along Newgate, Wine Street and Broad Street.

Lance Corporal James Manley, who made a tour of duty in Iraq with The Rifles between September 2006 and March 2007, said: "It's a good chance to get in the public eye and let people know the good job we are doing around the world and that we are behind them as much as they are behind us."

RAF Squadron Leader Richard Aldhous, who served for 25 years and had two stints in Afghanistan, was among the crowds gathered to watch the parade.

He said: "I think these parades are totally appropriate and exactly what should be done. The military being in the public eye is very important.

"They do an important job and should be seen doing it and being part of a city like this.

"They look like ordinary blokes and they are people and not somebody distant.

"They are a part of the community doing a job with us."

Two years ago, crowds turned out in Bristol for the emotional final farewell of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment.

The regiment was amalgamated to form part of The Rifles.

Army spokesman David Harris added: "In spite of the unfortunate weather, the parades went extremely well. It's a great honour for the soldiers to be given the freedom of Bath and Bristol – both fantastic cities."