Abingdon will be able to say thank you to 400 Army troops tomorrow as they celebrate their safe return from Iraq.

Officers and men from the 3 Logistic Support Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps based at Dalton Barracks will march from the town's fire station in Ock Street at 12.30pm to the Market Place in the centre of the town, where medals will be presented by mayor Lorraine Oates.

Following the presentations, the soldiers will march back along High Street and turn into West St Helen's Street to St Helen's Church for a service of thanksgiving to mark their safe return from one of the world's most dangerous conflict zones.

Mrs Oates will be joined by the chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council, Julie Mayhew-Archer, and town, district and county councillors and Freemen of Abingdon. She said: "I'm delighted that the regiment will be parading through Abingdon. I feel honoured to have been asked to be part of their day.

"It is a privilege for me on behalf of the town to welcome back these men and women and also to remember those who have suffered and those families who have lost loved ones.

"I'm sure the people of Abingdon will wish to join me in welcoming our troops back into town."

For tomorrow's parade, Ock Street and High Street will be closed while the soldiers march to the Market Place. High Street, between its junction with Stert Street/Bridge Street and West St Helen's Street, will be closed during the medal ceremony.

Traffic will be diverted along East St Helen's Street and there will be no left turn restrictions at the junction of East and West St Helen's streets.

Last month, the Princess Royal presented medals to soldiers from Dalton Barracks who returned from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. Abingdon has forged close ties with the military, first with the RAF and later with the Army, which was granted the Freedom of Abingdon two years ago.

Another celebration to mark the friendship is planned early in the new year. It will be a major event organised by the town council, at which the town will have another chance to express its thanks to the soldiers at Dalton Barracks.