THREE centuries of British military history will be marked with two days of celebrations in the North-East later this month.

The Coldstream Guards is 350 years old this year, making it the oldest British regiment in continuous service.

The majority of the regiment's recruits are from the North-East and Coldstream Guards associations in Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle and Ashington have joined forces to mark the anniversary.

The celebrations begin on Tuesday, July 25, when many former Coldstreamers from Teesside will join their serving colleagues to receive the Freedom of Berwick.

There will also be a gala dinner in Gateshead on Saturday, July 29, attended by about 400 people from around the world.

Mannie Cook, secretary of the Middlesbrough and district branch, said: "Coldstreamers, past and present, are very proud of their regiment's history and this is a unique opportunity to celebrate that illustrious history in the millennium year.

"It is also the first time the local associations have worked together to organise an event on this scale."