THE Royal Welsh Regiment will march through Ebbw Vale next month after Blaenau Gwent councillors agreed to grant it the Freedom of the borough.

The Council voted to award the Freedom of the County Borough to the regiment in recognition of their heroism and devotion to duty in the service of others.

The Royal Welsh Regiment (the Regiment of Wales) will exercise their Freedom by marching through the streets of Ebbw Vale on Saturday, 19 February.

They will be led by Taffy the Regimental Goat Mascot and the Band of the Prince of Wales' Division . The Mayor of Blaenau Gwent, Councillor Brian Thomas, will officially present the Freedom Scroll to the Royal Welsh Regiment before they start their march through the town at 11.30am from the steel clock.

Leader of the council, councillor Des Hillman, said: “I am proud that Blaenau Gwent Council has pledged its full support to bestowing the Freedom of the County Borough on the Royal Welsh Regiment in honour of the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces every day - many of them, of course, from Blaenau Gwent.”

He said he invited everyone to join in the important and proud day.

A full council meeting will take place on February 7 for councillors to formally agree the motion.