Didcot's war heroes on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan are to be welcomed home for the first time by the town.

Marching soldiers from the 821 Squadron of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, based at Vauxhall Barracks, will bring the town to a standstill for a welcome home parade in December, organised by Didcot Town Council.

Town councillors said it would be the first home-coming parade for a local regiment since the Second World War.

Last year, the regiment marched through the town to receive the Freedom of Didcot at a one-off ceremony organised by the town council.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O'Donnell, who died in an explosion in Afghanistan in September, was a member of the 821 squadron and would have marched in the parade.

Some troops have already returned to Britain, but the rest will be returning over the next few weeks.

Didcot mayor Tony Harbour said: "It's something I feel very passionate about and it's well deserved. It's the least the town can do to show their appreciation for all the people who put their lives on the line.

"Other towns are doing similar types of events and it is only natural that a town the size of Didcot should give a welcome home parade.

"Everyone in the council is 100 per cent behind it and I am hoping all the people will come out on the day and show their appreciation. I hope the streets will be two or three deep.

"There has been a lot of negative press about the war and whether we should be there or not.

"But whatever you feel, these people don't have a choice. They are told to go where they are told to go."

Troops will march from the Orchard Centre along Broadway to the Civic Hall car park in Britwell Road, where they will parade for the regiments' new Commanding Officer Gareth Bex, the mayor, and the regimental chaplain John Durant.

Campaign medals will also be presented to the troops. Stephen Fallon, the squadron's senior ammunition technician, said: "This is the first parade of its kind I am aware of in Didcot.

"It's a sign of respect and it shows the troops they are held in high esteem in Didcot and what they are doing is worthwhile.

"It's important to the troops because it is part of the process of coming home and settling back down to normal life."

A practice run through of the parade will take place at 6am on Tuesday, December 2.