THE City Council unanimously agreed on Monday (October 20) to award freedom of the city to 32 Regiment of the Royal Artillery - the Wessex Gunners.

32 Regiment have been based in the Salisbury area for 21 years since relocating from Dortmund, Germany and in that time have undergone significant change from using artillery to flying unmanned air vehicles.

Lt Colonel Nathan Sempala-Ntege, the Commanding Officer of 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, said: “The relationship between the city and the regiment is one that continues to build and grow.”

A number of councillors recalled times when they were in the armed forces and all spoke in favour of giving the regiment the prestigious award.

The leader of the council Cllr Andrew Roberts said: “It is an honour because this is one of the oldest regiments in the army and many gunners have been here for a very long time.”

The freedom march has been proposed to take place on June 28, 2015 and the City Council has agreed to pay £6,000 towards the cost of the parade.

The Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Jo Broom, said: “Although I have not had much experience in the armed forces I have had the pleasure to bring so many children of service personnel into the world in my job as a midwife.”

The Colonel of the Royal Artillery, Roddy Lee, explained what it meant to the regiment to be given the freedom of the city.

He said: “The Royal Artillery is composed of 20 twenty regiments and within that the freedom will be exercised by 32 Regiment because it has the closest local links.

“We have local links to the city and the fact that has been recognised by the council is a great honour and we look forward to representing Salisbury.

“It will be great to march through the city and hopefully we will get some additional elements of the Royal Artillery out on the day.”