DORSET soldiers returning from Afghanistan received a hero’s welcome this weekend in an emotional reunion with loved ones.

The 80 reservist soldiers from Exeter based Corunna Company 6th Battalion Rifles returned from a six-month tour in the demanding Helmand Province.

They were honoured by thousands of people who lined the streets of Exeter as they marched through the city.

After greeting their family members and loved ones at the Wyvern Barracks the soldiers took part in a military parade.

Thousands of patriotic supporters gathered in the streets clapping and waving British flags as the men in desert combats marched through.

The soldiers each received an Operational Service Medal from Brigadier Steve Hodder in a ceremony attended by their Royal Colonel, HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

There was a special round of applause for Serjeant Christopher John Reed who was killed in action on New Year’s Day.

Commanding Officer of the 6 Rifles, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Mereweather told the crowd that Sjt Reed ‘will not be forgotten’.

He praised the soldiers of 6 Rifles for freely giving their time and expertise to serve the Queen and country in a ‘hostile, dangerous theatre of conflict.’ He added: “They have performed extremely well and shown themselves to be flexible, robust and above all highly professional.

“I and the whole regiment are extremely proud of them.

“They have coped with some pretty demanding and stressful situations including seeing one of heir number die as a result of enemy action.

“They have not been found wanting and throughout their characteristic West Country humour and ability to quietly and effectively get the job done has shone through.”

Lance Corporal Nigel Scott, of Dorchester, had a happy reunion with his wife Linda and their sons Luke, aged 12, and eight-year-old Thomas.

He said: “I’m so happy to be home - it’s wonderful.

“I can’t believe how much my sons have grown in the time I’ve been gone.”

His mother Shirley and father Royston said it was a ‘proud day’ for them all.

LCpl Scott, 47, works as a Dorchester traffic policeman and was posted to Afghanistan after signing up to the TA two years ago.

He said: “I missed the simple things in life like getting fresh milk and taking the boys to the park.

“I was over-aged to join the TA but it was fine I just had to work harder than I would have had to years ago.

“Corunna Company were great to me although we had a few sad moments when we were there.”

He said that the TA was very integrated with the regular soldiers and that after a while he did not notice the difference.

Throughout the parade his son Thomas clutched on to a bear that has been to Bosnia and Afghanistan with LCpl Scott and was originally a mascot from the Prince of Wales School in Dorchester.

Weymouth father Andy Price hugged his sister Lyn Price-Jones in an emotional reunion with his family.

The 30-year-old rifleman from Radipole had returned from his third tour in the Middle East in 12 years of service.

He said he could not wait to get back home to Weymouth to see his wife Jayne and his two daughters Helaina and Imogen who could not be at the parade.

“The thing I missed the most was definitely my wife and girls and I’m made up that I will see them later,” he said.

“I also missed home and going to the pubs in Weymouth.”

Rfn Price worked on a variety of tasks which included picking up wounded as part of a medical team on the Chinnock helicopters and carrying out patrols in Helmand.

He plans to relax at home with his family for a while before making enquiries about joining the regular Army.

Rifleman Matt Beckingham, 22, of Radipole, returned home to a warm reunion from his excited mum and dad, Jan and Michael, his little brother Richard and his girlfriend Jessica Legg.

The Weymouth Sea Life Centre worker said he was ‘really happy to be home’ and soon headed back to Weymouth where a newly built bedroom was waiting as a surprise for him at his parent’s house.

Proud mum Jan said: “I’m just pleased to have him home after six months – we are really proud of him.”

For 15-year-old brother Richard seeing what his brother has achieved has inspired him to join the Army in a few years.

“My brother got me really interested and now I would like to train to be in the infantry like him,” he said.