BOLTON'S first citizen was given a warm welcome this afternoon at the civic Sunday parade.

Cllr Roger Hayes was formally installed as the Mayor of Bolton on Wednesday and a parade was held in his honour.

Resplendent in his red robes and chain, Cllr Hayes joined a number of military groups which marched through the town centre to Bolton Parish Church for a special service.

Those taking part in the parade included The Royal British Legion, Army Cadets, Bolton Sea Cadets, Royal Artillery, 14th Bolton Boys Brigade and 216 Battery.

Proud parents joined the hundreds of people assembled for the celebrations as they waited for a glimpse of their children.

Bands performing were the Hoover Band, Lancashire Artillery Band and 103 Pipes and Drums.

The parade started shortly after 2pm before winding its way through the centre to the church.

The Vicar of Bolton, the Revd Canon Matt Thompson, led the service. He said: "We have cause to be grateful for your stated intentions to use your mayoral year to celebrate the Bolton family and all the work that takes place across our town and borough bringing people together and enabling everyone to find a welcome and feel at home.Through your choice of charities you have highlighted three excellent examples of how we as a borough express our desire to be a caring and and sportive community for all."

Those gathered included Karen Faye from Bolton, who was watching her son Kaiden Goodridge, aged 16, in the parade.

She said: "This is his first civic parade and he has been excited. I am so proud of him."

Staff Sgt Alex Thompson, who was co-ordinating the army cadets, said: "The youngest cadet is 12, and they have been rehearsing for this.

"They have been looking forward to it and have been excited, for many of them it is their first parade and I was very proud of them."

Ex-forces Stuart Warburton, aged 57, also marched in the parade.

He said: "It was very good. This is my second time and the young people looked quite smart."

First Sea Lord Cadet Nicole Gildert, aged 17, said: "I was really proud to be in the parade, representing the Royal Navy and Sea Cadets."