Soldiers' Freedom Parade in Wakefield

Thousands of people turned out in Wakefield today to watch the Yorkshire regiment's 3rd Battalion "the Rifles" parade through the city. More than 150 servicemen, cadets and veterans marched through the streets to the Cathedral for an official inspection as Sarah Clark reports.

Hundreds of riflemen exercised their Freedom of Wakefield today when they marched through the city to Wakefield Cathedral with rifles at the trail, bugles sounding and bands playing.

Wakefield is a heartland town for 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 RIFLES), a light role infantry battalion which is normally based in Edinburgh. with many of the soldiers from the Battalion and their families hailing from the town and other parts of Yorkshire.

They were joined by Territorial Army soldiers from D (Rifles) company, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers based in Scarborough Barracks in Balby, Doncaster, Army cadets from the Humberside and South Yorkshire Cadet Force and veterans from The Rifles Regimental Association

Troops will parade through Wakefield city centre today.

The regiment's 3rd Battalion The Rifles - granted the Freedom of the City of Wakefield in 2010 - will be exercising their right to do so.

The parade of 200 troops will leave the Elizabethan Gallery on Brook Street Wakefield, leaving at 10.55am and march through the city.

It will arrive at Wakefield Cathedral at 11am where a short service will be held.

Wakefield Council leader Peter Box said: "It is a great honour to welcome The Rifles to Wakefield where they have the honour of the Freedom of the City.

"The parade is our opportunity to honour and celebrate our British servicemen and women who are serving all over the world on behalf of their country."This occasion is also a time to remember those who have died or have been injured in the line of duty."