The Royal Anglians paraded in Norwich on Thursday

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, paraded through Norwich on Thursday and Bury St Edmunds on Friday.

Hundreds of people turned out to see soldiers who had just returned from deployment in Afghanistan.

In an open letter, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt said servicemen and women get a huge boost from people's support.

'Sacrifices'

The letter said: "I mentioned recently that I was concerned about the apparent gulf between the Army and the nation.

"In East Anglia, you have shown that you really understand and appreciate the sacrifices that our soldiers make - and the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment in particular.

"Across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire you have written letters of support, generously donated to the Royal Anglians' Memorial Fund and to other service charities.

"And you have turned out in your thousands to welcome home the Light Dragoons in Dereham and the Royal Anglians in Norwich and Bury St Edmunds."

Nine troop members have been lost during the fight against the Taleban in Helmand province over the last six months.

More than 500 troops from the region are still in Afghanistan, where the Royal Anglian regiment was at the forefront of fighting.

Fifty-seven soldiers from the regiment have been wounded in battle.