ACCRINGTON soldiers were among 100 of the county’s servicemen welcomed back from duties in Afghanistan and Iraq in a homecoming parade.

Most of the soldiers from 9 (Plassey) Battery 12 Regiment Royal Artillery at the parade in Blackpool had completed a six-month operational tour in Helmand Province. A dozen others had finished a two-month tour of duty in Basra, Iraq.

Lance Bombardier Luke Williams, 22, from Accrington, had 13 members of his family watching, including girlfriend Kelly.

Lbdr Williams controlled the flight of the Desert Hawk 3 aircraft, controlling its flight from a laptop, and providing support to infantry battallions including 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Also there was former Accrington resident and Mount Carmel High School pupil Sergeant Matthew Blood, 32, who now lives in Garstang.

Operational service medals were presented to all the soldiers.