A PLATOON of soldiers will march through Bolton town centre next week to celebrate having the freedom of the town.

130 troops from the Duke of Lancaster’s 1st Battalion will attend a thanksgiving service at Bolton Parish Church at 11am on Tuesday before assembling outside the church shortly after 12pm.

The battalion will then begin its march, accompanied by the beating drums of the band of the King’s Division, carrying rifles with fixed bayonets and will move along Churchgate and Deansgate and onto Victoria Square.

Troops will then assemble on the square, where the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Martin Donaghy will carry out a review of the troops, assisted by Honorary Colonel Jeremy Gorick.

The soldiers will march out of the town centre to the Holiday Inn, where they will enjoy a civic reception.

Major Algy Turney, Assistant Regimental Secretary of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Greater Manchester, said: “Bolton was selected as one of three locations where a march will take place.

“We cherish our links with Bolton and the town is very much a part of the regimental family because we have soldiers from Bolton serving in our ranks.”

The regiment is based in Catterick and has recently been involved in campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Major Turney added: “Freedom is a ceremonial title that shows the town’s recognition and appreciation for soldiers.

“It means that the regiment is entitled to march, carrying rifles with bayonets fixed, with drums beating and colours flying — which is what the troops will do.”

The regiment, which was awarded the Freedom of the Borough in 2009, was formed in 2006 by the amalgamation of three single battalion regiments — The King’s Own Royal Border Regiment, The King’s Regiment and The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment.

Tuesday’s march will represent something of a farewell visit to Bolton as the regiment is set to be posted to Cyprus for three years.

Bolton councillor John Walsh has asked if youngsters from schools around the borough could mark the occasion by creating a piece of art depicting the troops marching.

He said: “It would be nice if the young people could then send the pictures of they have drawn to the Mayor’s Office and they could be proudly displayed in the town during Armed Forces Day in June.”

Any artwork can be sent to the The Mayor's Office, Town Hall, Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU.