Young cadets have marched through the centre of Weymouth in celebration of their unit’s achievements.

The Weymouth Sea Cadets performed a Freedom Parade today, having been awarded the Freedom of the Borough by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in February this year.  

The award marks the 75th anniversary of the unit and its work.

It is the most prestigious honour a borough can give to a unit and it allows the cadets to march through the borough’s streets on ceremonial occasions with drums beating and colours flying.

Richard Drax, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for South Dorset, said: “This is a hugely important day because it is part of our huge naval heritage, which these young boys and girls represent so well.

“The award of the Freedom is not easily bestowed and no one deserves it better than our sea cadets.”

The 120-strong parade began with a form up and inspection at Westham Bridge at 1:30pm and then the cadets began marching to Holy Trinity Church via Westham Road, St Thomas Street and Town Bridge at 2pm.  

The families of the cadets and other members of the public clapped and cheered as the cadets set off with the sun shining above them.

Mark Fisher, aged 38, from Southill, whose eldest son was part of the parade, said: “It’s amazing. It is important for them to showcase what they do across Weymouth. It’s an important celebration I think.”  

May Edgar, from Redlands, whose grandson is in the sea cadets, said: “I am very proud. He is following after his grandfather, who was in the Royal Navy.”  

Marching through the town centre with the Portland Sea Cadet Band leading the parade with their playing, hundreds stopped to watch the display, with children peering out of shop windows to see what was going on.   

At Holy Trinity Church there was a Freedom of the Borough Service and Blessing, after which the parade reformed, took the salute in front of the church and continued along the harbourside to disperse at Hope Square.  

Lord Lieutenant Angus Campbell, the Queen’s representative in Dorset, was also part of the ceremony.

He said: “It is a very prestigious event. Being given the Freedom of the Borough is no small thing, it is the highest honour a borough can give and it’s always done with the right amount of pomp and circumstance.”  

Cllr Jeff Cant, leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, spoke highly of the work of the Sea Cadets.

He said: “It is a tremendous cause. There are very many stories of young people who have had the sea cadets to experience life and learn self-discipline and self-confidence.”