Army heroes received a Yorkshire welcome as they marched through Leeds following a six-month tour of Afghanistan.
Thousands of people lined the streets to applaud troops from the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment for a homecoming parade.
Dozens of soldiers walked from Millennium Square to The Headrow and Briggate yesterday, the event ending with a March Past Salute at Leeds Civic Hall.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Ann Castle, also made a moving speech welcoming them back to the city.
Captain Alex Nancolas, 30, who lives in Rodley and has been in the army for seven years said: “It was incredible to have such a warm welcome.
“There were about 6,000 people lining the road.
“It’s fantastic to feel the support of the city and it really says that people do care.
“You get sent letters and parcels while you are out there.
“But to see people back home coming out of their offices to cheer for you is something else.
“We are trained to be out there but I’m pretty pleased to be back now.
“When I walked through the door after six months of being in Afghanistan, my son George, who is two, was being read a bedtime story by my wife and shouted ‘Daddy’.
“My wife Hayley is pleased to have me back too.”
Corporal Shane Wilde, 28, of Bramley, has served in Kosovo, Iraq and Northern Ireland as well as Afghanistan.
He said: “My granddad came to watch the parade today.
“It’s been great and everybody got a good welcome.
“My son Jimmy was two weeks old when I left for Afghanistan.
“He’s a good boy and he grew up a lot while I was away.
“It’s good to come home and see him and the family and my daughter Ellie, who is six now.”
Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Ann Castle, met some of the soldiers during the emotional parade.
She said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see them all here.
“We are really proud of them in Leeds.”
A reception was held at the Civic Hall for the soldiers after the ceremony.
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