A parade honouring servicemen and women from RAF Brize Norton which would have seen thousands of people line the streets of Witney has been cancelled.

Plans for the 'Freedom of the Town' parade to honour those risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, have been shelved because those serving at the RAF base are too busy.

Tonight the RAF stressed the decision was because of "operational commitments" - not because of potential security risks.

The cancellation is a blow for organisers of the event after 18 months of planning. It would have seen more than 100 RAF personnel marching through the streets on May 7, which coincides with Witney Mayor Chrissie Curry's last day in office.

Parades have been held intermittently since 1977, with the last held in 1994. One was planned for 1996, but was cancelled due to the security threat posed by the IRA.

As part of the parade, servicemen and women would have enjoyed a civic reception at Langdale Hall and the base would have been presented with a commemorative key, symbolising the freedom of the town.

Ms Curry said: "I'm very sad that it's been cancelled.

"It was going to be a big event. I think support for the parade would have been enormous, especially in light of the theatres of war our men are being sent to.

"It was a completely apolitical thing to do, but we think it is particularly meaningful to hold the parade when we have troops risking their lives overseas.

"We just wanted to say to the troops 'we appreciate you - we know you are doing a difficult job and we support you'."

Schoolchildren had been enlisted to line the route and wave flags.

Ms Curry added: "It would have been magnificent.

"We've been trying to get it sorted for nearly 18 months and we would have had thousands of people.

"I'd already managed to get our local Air Cadet Force to give a guard of honour and we would have got all the kids to have an hour or so off school so they could come along and cheer.

"We're very proud of our service personnel.

"I appreciate the reason why Brize Norton has cancelled, as strategic demands come before anything, but I'm determined to see that this parade will happen in the future."

Tonight base chief Wing Commander Tony Toner said: "We had to postpone the parade, which is regrettable, but it's as a result of increased operational demands we are experiencing from sending more freight and equipment to Afghanistan. It is not cancelled.

"We're proud that every day we're able to walk the streets of Witney, wearing our uniform, and there is no question this has anything to do with anyone having been abused in their uniform.

"We're bitterly disappointed it has to be postponed, but we will look for the earliest possible opportunity to hold the parade."