by Angela Coleacole@thekmgroup.co.uk

Hundreds of soldiers and their tanks will parade through Maidstone to mark their return home from Afghanistan.

Three hundred “Tankies” from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2RTR), many of whom are recruited from Kent, have been on active duty in Helmand Province.

To celebrate the homecoming, they will parade through Maidstone High Street on Thursday, September 1, before stopping off with some of their vehicles in Brenchley Gardens.

Commanding officer Lt Col Marcus Evans said: “This winter in Helmand the men and women of 2RTR helped the Afghan government re-connect with their people.

“The Tankies provided armoured support to British troops and our friends in the Afghan national police and Army. Together we protected the people of Afghanistan and aided them in building a better way of life.”

Soldiers will march to music provided by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.