SOLDIERS from The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment will celebrate an historic return home this weekend.

The North West regiment — known as the “Lions of England” — has not had regular soldiers based in the region since its formation in 2006.

But its 2nd Battalion (2 LANCS) is to formally take control of Weeton Barracks, near Blackpool.

On Saturday, celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of the Regiment’s formation will be held and around 160 soldiers will parade at Weeton before raising the Regimental Colours to mark the unit’s official arrival.

The 2nd Battalion has returned to the North West from a record-breaking three-year tour based in Cyprus, from where it has supported operations in Afghanistan as the Army’s theatre reserve battalion.

It was a tour in which the Regiment lost six men.

Commanding Officer Lt Col Robbie Boyd said: “We have been continually deployed on operations during that three year period.

"We have secured British interests in Cyprus, but most notably fought hard for the security of the ordinary people of Afghanistan — during the longest battalion operational tour in con-temporary history — fighting wherever we were needed in central Helmand as an acclimatised high readiness reserve for over 15 months.

“During our tough tour we lost six friends all of whom made the ultimate sacrifice, having served with tenacity, bravery and a decency towards the Afghan people that we should expect from soldiers of the North West.”

The homecoming parade in Weeton will be attended by families, old comrade associations, cadets, Territorial Army and Regular Army soldiers.

The occasion will also allow the presentation of Afghanistan operational service medals to soldiers from the Regiment.

Lt Col Boyd added: “We have only been successful abroad because of the support we have received from our families back here in the North West.

"The Lions of England have come home.

“We will now prepare hard for future operations wherever we may be required and we promise to continue to do the North West proud.”