Army parade in Devon to celebrate English Riviera links

The 1st Battalion The Rifles plan to parade through Torbay in July

Devon's own army regiment is set to parade through Torbay to "celebrate its links with the English Riviera".

The 1st Battalion, The Rifles received the freedom of the borough in 2008.

The award allows the regiment the ceremonial right to march through Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham bearing arms.

Councillor Mandy Darling told Torbay Council that the Rifles had wanted to host a parade "for a number of years" to reaffirm their award.

She said plans were also in place to create a "special garden" to mark the link between the bay and its regiment, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Councillor Jackie Thomas said work on the garden design was under way and it was likely to be completed to coincide with a proposed parade in July.

The Rifles was formed in 2007, but can trace its history back more than 200 years.

It was formed from The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, The Light Infantry, The Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets.