PROUD pub landlords presented a flag to their son Jamie Tyson on his return from the frontline in Afghanistan.

Sandra Tyson and Gary Pellow flew the Union Flag from the New Inn at Shipton Gorge during the former Royal Manor School pupil’s eight-month tour of duty with the Rifles.

They lowered the flag and presented it to him as a surprise during his battalion’s homecoming march and medals parade in Chepstow.

Gary, who is Jamie’s step-father, said: “It was a good day and it went very well. Jamie was quite choked when we gave him the flag.”

He added: “It was an emotional day. But it was a celebration because they were happy to be home and we were happy to see them back.”

Gary and Sandra flew the Union Flag in honour of Jamie and troops serving in Afghanistan from April onwards.

Former Portland Royal Manor Arts College pupil Jamie, 27, is a corporal in the 1st battalion the Rifles.

Jamie, who is married with a baby daughter, was involved in duties like manning check points and patrols.

His tour of duty in Afghanistan came after service in Kosovo and Iraq.

Gary and Sandra went to Chepstow to see him off eight months ago and hope he will visit them before Christmas.

The Rifles marched through Chepstow after being given the keys to the town. About 3,000 friends, family and dignitaries including the Duke of Kent then watched a medal ceremony.

Gary said that some soldiers from the battalion didn’t make it back from Afghanistan and that wounded servicemen were at the ceremony in Chepstow. He said: “We went up there when they went out. A lot looked like boys then but they looked like men when they came back.”

Gary said that Jamie had said that it was a good tour from the point of view of that he had gone out to do the job he was trained to do as a soldier.

He added that it was clear that it had been hard at times as well.