SOLDIERS from Dorset's own regiment will exercise their right to march through Dorchester on Saturday.

Members of The Rifles, which formed on February 1 this year following the amalgamation of The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry with The Light Infantry, Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry and the Royal Green Jackets, will be on parade on Saturday afternoon.

The men will muster at the TA Centre on Poundbury Road before marching through the town from about 3.30pm.

The soldiers will march down High West Street, into South Street and then Trinity Street and back to the TA Centre.

Dorchester Mayor Coun David Barrett together with the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Mrs Anthony Pitt-Rivers and military officials will take the salute outside Dorset County Museum.

Dorchester Town Clerk Dennis Holmes said: "This is the first time The Rifles have exercised their freedom in Dorset since they were formed and we are very honoured that they have chosen to do it here in Dorchester.

"Members of the public will be allowed into the parade ground at the TA centre at 5.30pm to watch the sounding of the retreat and we hope that people will also line the streets of Dorchester to watch the earlier march-by.

The freedom of Dorchester was granted to the Dorset Regiment in 1946 and the merged Devon and Dorsets 30 years later. Members of Dorchester Town Council conferred the right to the new regiment in January.

  • POLICE will remove any cars left parked along the route of the march through Dorchester by The Rifles.

PC Kevin House, the town's Safer Neighbourhood Team manager, said: "We will be putting out no parking cones and want vehicles cleared before the march starts. Any that are left will be removed."