THOUSANDS lined the streets of Barnstaple this morning, to welcome home around 600 Chivenor troops who have just returned from Afghanistan.

The Commando Logistic Regiment, based at RMB Chivenor have just returned to the UK following a tough six months in the volatile Helmand Province — but today was all about celebration as local people lined the streets to cheer the servicemen and women home.

School children were excused from class, shops shut, and young and old waved Union flags as the regiment made its way from Yeo Vale, through the packed High Street, and then back along the Strand.

The Strand was the place to be, as hundreds of people crammed in, to watch the parade headed up by CLR CO Col Andy Maynard salute dignitaries to the right.

Bev Riach, wife of RSM Bruce Riach was in the crowd to cheer on her husband.

She said: "I'm extremely proud of all of our troops, and everyone involved, I'm just glad that they're back."

West Buckland School's year six class were an excitable bunch on The Strand, enthusiastically waving flags and cheering.

One girl said she thought the soldiers were very brave.

Claire Balneaves, whose husband was marching said: "It was absolutely fantastic, everyone was out, and the cheer was fantastic as they came past."

Read the full story with more interviews and photographs in the

on Thursday.