CHEERING crowds including football legend Geoff Hurst turned out to welcome home the army’s “eye in the sky” regiment this morning.

The Larkhill-based 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, known as the eye in the sky regiment because its soldiers operate the cutting edge Unmanned Air Systems, marched through the city to a thanksgiving service at the cathedral at the invitation of the city council.

The 600 soldiers taking part in the homecoming parade included 120 men and women from 57 Battery who returned from Afghanistan at the weekend.

The regiment paid its compliments to mayor John Abbot as well as Lieutenant General Sir Roderick Cordy-Simpson, representing the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, and the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment Major General Gerry Berragan as it passed the Guildhall.

Also attending the parade as a guest and friend of the regiment will be 1966 football world cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst, proudly sporting a remembrance poppy.