Pictures of Royal Anglian parade

The Royal Anglian Regiment, which has been given the Freedom of the City, marched through Norwich for the first time since returning from Afghanistan.

The 1st Battalion lost nine men and killed about 1,000 Taleban insurgents in Helmand Province.

Lt Col Stuart Carver paid tribute to his men and said they had fought in one of their toughest tours.

Three hundred troops came to Norwich for the parade in front of Norwich City Hall where they were inspected by the Duke of Gloucester.

This parade is a major event for us and I am speechless that so many people have turned out. Corporal James Murphey

Lt Col Carver said: "I am 100% confident the troops are feeling a real sense of pride as they march through the streets of Norwich in front of so many people.

"We are all extremely grateful for the turn out which shows the support we have."

More than 500 troops from the region are still in Afghanistan.

Corporal James Murphey, one of the soldiers injured in the fighting, said: "Me and my men were hit by a shoulder fired rocket in Helmand Province. Shrapnel hit us in the legs and body.

"This parade is a major event for us and I am speechless that so many people have turned out.

"They do not hear much on the news about what really happens and those that we have spoken to are very interested.

"The men are also overwhelmed by the response to the parade."

Residents said that they had come to see the parade to show their support for the young soldiers.

The soldiers who are recruited in the main from Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk will travel to Bury St Edmunds for another parade in front of residents on Friday.