BUMPER crowds packed Wareham in support of Royal Armoured Corp soldiers, past and present.

More than 3,000 people lined the route yesterday as 200 soldiers from Bovington and Lulworth Camp paraded through the town centre.

They were there so Purbeck District Council chairman Eric Osmond could bestow the Armour Centre with the Freedom of Purbeck.

The Light Cavalry Band led the procession, which included a selection of armoured fighting vehicles such as the Panther, the Viking and the Scimitar light tank.

A contingent of the Old Boys Association of the Junior Leaders’ Regiment also took part in the parade, which included many younger Afghanistan and Iraq veterans.

One Afghan veteran, Sgt Simon Broughton, of the Light Dragoons, said: “For the lads going out there, coming back knowing they have the public support is particularly important.

“Normally the public cannot get that close to us unless they work on camp – so this puts a nice public face on to what we actually do.”

Meanwhile Sgt Philip Williams, of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, said: “I was surprised by the amount of people who turned up. It’s good for both of us – we see the public supporting us and the public gets access to us.”

After the Freedom of Purbeck was presented, the soldiers paraded into the town’s recreation ground, where a funfair was held.

Coun Osmond said: “I’ve not known anything quite like it in all my years of being a councillor and living in Wareham – it has been an absolutely fantastic day.

“Standing on the podium looking down South and North Street, there must have been literally thousands of people.

“It is very reassuring for me, the councillors and the people of Purbeck that so many people turned out to show their support to the military. It’s so crucial at this particular time.”