LUDLOW Town Council is awarding the freedom of the town to the Royal Welsh Regiment.

This will occur on the 325th anniversary of the raising of the Royal Welch Fusiliers by Lord Herbert at Ludlow Castle on March 16 1689.

The Royal Welsh was formed in 2006 when the Royal Welch Fusiliers amalgamated with the Royal Regiment of Wales.

Ludlow's mayor, Councillor Jim Smithers, said "As well as being the 325th anniversary of the raising of the Royal Welch, 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, so this is the perfect time to commemorate the gratitude of the people of Ludlow to the soldiers past and present who have served this country, not least the Royal Welsh Regiment and its predecessors."

The Royal Welch last marched through the town in 1997 at a special homecoming parade after service in Bosnia, though it has never been granted the Freedom of Ludlow.