Hundreds of sailors take part in freedom parade

The Freedom Parade was led by the HMS Seahawk Volunteer Band

A military parade through the streets of Helston has taken place for the first time since 2022.

About 200 men and women from RNAS Culdrose took part in the ceremony which saw the establishment exercise its rights to march through the Cornish town.

HMS Seahawk was granted the Freedom of the Borough of Helston in 1958, an honour which allows sailors to march with swords drawn and bayonets fixed.

The Freedom Parade was led by the HMS Seahawk Volunteer Band with seven platoons of sailors and Royal Marines.

'Strong team here'

Crowds lined the streets outside the Helston Guildhall to watch the pass through which was rounded up by field gun crew.

Capt James Hall, Commanding Officer at RNAS Culdrose, said: "We've got a lot of people deployed and that is our reason to be here, to strengthen the security at home and to protect our interests abroad.

"We still have a strong team here at Culdrose because all those people deployed still need support in the background."

A flypast by a Merlin helicopter coincided with the end of the parade at 11:00 BST in Coinagehall Street.