HUNDREDS of appreciative spectators lined the centre of an Eden town to witness an historic Freedom of the City march.

More than 110 members of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, accompanied by their brass band, marched in formation through Appleby on Tuesday, before they stood to attention to salute the mayor, Cllr Andy Connell.

It was the first time a freedom parade had taken place in the town since 1980, and hundreds of Union Jack-waving spectators cheered the troops and applauded the marching band in the baking July sun.

Major Shaun Dwyer, leading the regiment from the High Cross at the top of Boroughgate to the Low Cross in front of St Lawrence’s Parish Church, said it was a huge honour to be involved in the occasion.

“It’s one of the highest honours for a town or city,” he said. “It gives us the privilege to march along with swords raised, bayonets attached, flags flying and band playing.

“It’s a very old tradition that has been around since the Middle Ages and today we’re exercising the freedom of Appleby.

“It truly is a privilege to be involved in because it’s not something many people get to take part in, and the way the public generally welcomes us gives you a real moment of pride.”

Some of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment troops in the parade have just returned from Iraq, where they have been fighting Islamic State, while others have been to Cyprus supporting the United Nations’ work in the Mediterranean. Many had been involved in both.

“What we do is never really seen so it’s nice to be out in the public eye and share the enjoyment with everybody here,” added Major Dwyer.

The troops meticulously lined up in front of the mayor, before Major Dwyer led a salute to him. He then went round the regiment inspecting the soldiers.

Mr Connell said he considered himself very fortunate to have been the first mayor of Appleby to welcome such a procession in the town in nearly four decades.

He said: “I’m honoured and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m the first mayor of Appleby to take the salute in 37 years, I’m a very lucky boy.

“Nobody who has been here today will ever forget it for as long as they live.”

Major Andrew Earl CF, who was accompanying the mayor, was stationed in Afghanistan for seven months.

He said: “Every day you wake up not knowing whether you’ll live or who’ll come back at the end of the day. I know now that I must take full advantage of my life.”