Wakefield Council recognised the bravery and sacrifice of 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment with the official honour in a ceremony outside Wakefield Cathedral.

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Around 100 soldiers, in two guards – a Colour Party and The Band of The King's Division – were applauded by the public as they paraded through the city centre before being presented with the freedom of the city by council leader Coun Peter Box.

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A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "The regiment considered it a great honour.

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"The soldiers really appreciated all the support and all the applause they got.

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"It's been a very successful parade."

Guests included the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr Ingrid Roscoe, the high sheriff and local councillors.

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The regiment, known as the Duke of Wellington's, is based in Warminster but recruits from across West Yorkshire.

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Some of the soldiers on parade had recently returned from battle in Afghanistan and some of their colleagues remain out there.

The idea of granting the Yorkshire Regiment the freedom of Wakefield came after the tragic deaths of two of the district's soldiers from Castleford.

Rifleman James Backhouse, 18, and bombardier Craig Hopson, 24, died last July while serving in Afghanistan.