Winchester city centre will come to a temporary standstill tomorrow (Wed).

But it won't be the chronic roadworks slowing everyone up - it will the King's Royal Hussars being granted the freedom of the city.

The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, pictured, its Colonel-in-Chief, will take the salute at the Guildhall as 200 troops march behind a military band up the High Street.

The soldiers, who returned in October from a six-month tour of duty in Iraq, will march through the streets 'to the beat of drums, with guidon flying, swords drawn and bayonets fixed.'

As well as the soldiers there will also be a squad of mounted officers on horses and four Scimitar light tanks. A Challenger tank will be parked by King Alfred's Statue.

It is the biggest freedom parade the city will have seen, said a city council spokesman.

The ceremonies start with a service in the cathedral at 10.30am followed by a procession to the Guildhall. At 11.30am the Mayor of Winchester, Neil Baxter, will bestow the honour on Princess Anne.

Then the parade will march from The Broadway, past the Guildhall, then up the High Street, around the Westgate and into Peninsula Barracks in Romsey Road.

Freedom of the city is granted to regiments with close ties to Winchester. Previous recipients have included the Royal Hampshire Regiment and the Adjutant General's Corps.

The Hussars' links with the city date back to 1963 when the 10th Royal Hussars established their headquarters.

It amalgamated with the 11th Hussars in 1969 and was based at Peninsula Barracks. Its museum opened there in 1980.

The current regiment was formed in 1992 when it merged with the 14th/20th King's Hussars. Its recruits receive their initial training at the Army Taining Regiment at Sir John Moore Barracks at Littleton on the edge of Winchester.