CROWDS turned out to show their support for a regiment whose base has been axed as more than 400 of its soldiers returned from a six-month tour in Afghanistan.

The troops from Ripon-based 21 Engineer Regiment honoured the memory of two comrades killed during the operation in Helmand Province as they were led by the Band of the King’s Division from the Spa Gardens, along Park Street, Westgate and Kirkgate to Ripon Cathedral.

The soldiers then attended a service at the cathedral, where tributes were paid to 23-year-old Sapper Richard Walker, who was shot dead in January by a member of the Afghan National Army and Captain James Townley, 29, who died in a shooting incident last September.

Councillor Mick Stanley, the Mayor Elect of Ripon, described the service as particularly poignant.

He said: “It was a great fillip for all those people who were waiting patiently back home.”

Last month, the Ministry of Defence announced the closure of the regiment's Claro Barracks in Ripon in 2017, with the unit being moved to Catterick Garrison.

Captain Brian Goodwin, from 21 Engineer Regiment, said the support from Ripon residents had kept the troops motivated as they closed or oversaw the transfer of 33 security bases to the Afghan National Security Forces.

He said: "The troops feel it. There is tangible evidence of the support from the population and it's great when you can localise it."

A medals ceremony to mark the end of deployment for the returning soldiers was later held at Claro Barracks with their friends and families.