SOLDIERS fresh from risking life and limb in Afghanistan will be marching through Oldbury next Tuesday.

Sandwell Mayor Councillor Geoff Lewis will take the salute as the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) marches through the borough next week.

The battalion has carried out three tours of Afghanistan in the last five years, and in last six months tour five members of the battalion were killed and 20 seriously wounded.

The battalion’s commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Colin Marks said: “These events are ideal opportunities for friends and families to welcome home the Mercian Regiment after a demanding operational tour.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support we received from the people for their regiment and this is our way of showing our appreciation to them.”

The parade will form up in the Sandwell Council car park in Dudley Road and the march will start at 12.30pm.

The parade will turn left to the island and then on to the Oldbury Ringway then turn left into Freeth Street passing by the Council House where the mayor will take the salute.

It will then go on to the car park in Dudley Road where it will finish.

Drivers are being warned that a number of roads around Oldbury town centre will be closed on a rolling programme to allow the march to take place safely.