Mercian Regiment exercise freedom of Chesterfield

2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment will exercise their freedom of the borough of Chesterfield later, by parading through the town.

The Duchess of Devonshire, the Lord Lieutenant, Mr William Tucker, and Chesterfield's Mayor, Cllr Paul Christopher Stone will be present.

Chesterfield residents are also invited to line the streets by 10:10am for a 10:20am start outside the Town Hall.

Before the parade, the Duchess of Devonshire will present a new ram, the regimental mascot - known as Private Derby - to the regiment on behalf of the Duke of Devonshire.

The salute will be taken on the Town Hall steps by the Lord Lieutenant, Mr William Tucker and Chesterfield's Mayor, Councillor Paul Christopher Stone.

Councillor Graham King, Chesterfield Borough Council's executive member for governance, said:

"2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment is made up of many local young people and this is an opportunity for our residents to come along and show how much they appreciate the work of our armed forces."

The Mercian Regiment was granted freedom of entry to Chesterfield borough in December 2007 and has previously paraded in the town in March 2008 and March 2010.