NEARLY 400 freemen of the borough of Gosport exercised their right to march through the town to celebrate its 800th anniversary yesterday.

Crowds, which included visitors from Gosport in Indiana, USA, lined the High Street as the freedom parade made its way from the Millennium Promenade to the Town Hall.

There were swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying during the ceremony.

Leading the colourful procession was HMS Sultan's volunteer band, their commanding officer, colour and scroll, a 24-man guard and two platoons of junior ranks, as well as steam lorry.

A tri service contingency from the Royal Hospital Haslar and Fort Blockhouse were next, followed by a group from HMS Raleigh formerly based at HMS Dolphin.

The Army Band led in the 17th Port & Maritime Regiment, now based at Marchwood, but for many years based at the historic St Georges Barracks in Gosport.

The Royal Naval Association, with their associated standards, followed, with the Fleet Air Arm representatives behind.

Next were the Submariners Association, the Royal Medical Corp, the Royal Army Service Corp, the Falkland veterans, Fleetlands and Centurion. Bringing up the rear of the parade were representatives from Gosport's largest employer Tyco, their twin town of Royan in France, descendants of deceased Freemen and a host of vintage service vehicles.

Pipers led the civic procession for the salute to be taken outside the Town Hall and a Chinook helicopter made a special guest appearance to wish the town luck.

Organiser Councillor Peter Edgar said: "It went really well and I'm delighted. Gosport's role over the last 800 years has been so unique and so special in the defence of the realm and this has been a very special occasion.

"The fact that hundreds of people turned out and lined the High Street shows what an important event it was for them."