Freedom of Nottingham honour for forces volunteers

Two groups of armed service volunteers are set to be granted the Freedom of Nottingham by the city council.

The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, councillor Michael Wildgust, has recommended two regiments receive the honour.

With the award, the East Midlands Universities Air Squadron (EMUAS) and the 73rd Engineer Regiment (Volunteers) will be able to march through the city.

Both regiments have been based in the city for 40 years.

Strong link

Lt Colonel David Jones, commanding officer of the 73rd Engineer Regiment, said: "The regiment has had an excellent relationship with the city for some four decades and has had soldiers on operational tours over that period to the Balkans, Iraq, Cyprus and Afghanistan.

"We are now looking forward to the day when we are able to march through the city."

Flt Lt Robert Marston from EMUAS added: "We still have our town headquarters in the same building where we started, just outside the west gate of the University of Nottingham campus.

"Though we now fly from Cranwell in Lincolnshire and recruit from universities around the East Midlands, we have a strong residual link with Nottingham."

The Lord Mayor said granting the honour was "one way we can show our appreciation and support to the armed forces".

Councillors will meet on Monday to confirm the honour.