A DETAILED documentary tribute to the thousands of men who have served in the Green Howards over the years has been released on DVD.

The film traces the infantry unit’s proud history and goes back 318 years to 1688 when it was raised at Dunster Castle in Somerset.

And it continues to the day in 2006 when it was amalgamated into the new Yorkshire Regiment.

The film includes unpublished photographs and footage, interviews with veterans and historians, accounts of honours and campaigns and details of heroic acts which won 18 Victoria Crosses.

It has been produced and directed by former Tyne Tees TV presenter Paul Frost who has covered stories involving the Green Howards since the 1970s.

"I distinctly recall the tremendous pride of local people as the Howards marched with bayonets fixed to receive the freedom of the borough after their tours in Northern Ireland," he recalled.

"People lined the route and cheered, just as they did in those days for a Royal visitor."

He added: "The Green Howards are a true family regiment. Making the documentary wasn't work, it was an absolute pleasure."

At the formal launch in the regimental museum in Richmond Mr frost presented copies of the DVD to retired Green Howard Field Marshal The Lord Inge and the Colonel of the Regiment Major General Andrew Farquhar.

The Green Howards production is the second film in the Regiments on DVD series. The first traced the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force at what is now Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The next production, to be launched soon, looks at the history of HMS Trincomalee, one of the oldest ships afloat and now a major attraction in Hartlepool.

Other planned productions include the Durham Light Infantry, the Border Regiment and Northumberland Fusiliers.

All films are available via the internet priced £14.99 from www.regimentsondvd.com