THE Tigers took over Winchester today.

As Hampshire's own Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, known as the Tigers, marched proudly past, the High Street's pavements swarmed with well-wishers waving union flags.

Drawing cheers and unending applause as they streamed past, the troops were exercising the right of Freedom of Entry - a privilege which means some regiments get to parade through the city with “bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying”.

Setting off from Peninsula Barracks at noon, they marched in the blazing sun down the High Street to the Broadway - but the heat will be nothing new to them.

They troops have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq on numerous tours of duty, and the Daily Echo revealed today that, as part of 20th Armoured Brigade, they will be handed the responsibility of bringing operations to a close in Afghanistan.

After a short speech from Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Ernie Jeffs, Brigadier Richard Dennis told the crowd that Winchester had been the best of the seven parades the Tigers have performed over the past ten days.

He said: “They are ordinary people who have been trained, and have the ethos, to do extraordinary things, and on that basis we should applaud them.”

After the march, Private Same Rowe, 21, from Sholing, Southampton, said: “This is the closest parade to my home and it was a great day. My grandparents came out to see me in it, so it was really nice.”

Alongside Sam was Private Ollie Killeen, 21, a schoolmate from their time at Weston Park Boys' School in Southampton.

He said: “Today was great and my family are here. It was also great to see the veterans out here too. It does make you feel proud.”

Around 160 troops were accompanied by the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers, halting in front of the Guildhall ready for inspection at 12.10pm sharp, with Dame Mary Fagan, Hampshire's Lord Lieutenant, taking the salute.