THOUSANDS of visitors are expected to fall in to Bury next month to witness the borough's largest military parade.

On September 19, 28 years after it was bestowed the honour, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will exercise its Freedom of Bury.

The regimental mascot, Bobby, an Indian Black Buck, will lead more than 100 serving members of the 2nd Battalion as they parade through the town centre with "drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed".

It will be the first time such a grand march has taken place by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers since it was given the Freedom of Bury on April 27, 1974.

The soldiers will form up on parade in Parliament Street and at 11am will march to the Castle Armoury Drill Hall via Knowsley Street and Market Street.

Organiser Captain John O'Grady, the Fusiliers' area regimental secretary based at Wellington Barracks in Bury, said: "The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was given the Freedom of Bury in 1974 and exercised its new privilege that year.

"Unfortunately, duties overseas have prevented us from doing this sooner."