THE colours will be flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed when the Queen's Lancashire Regiment is honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Chorley next month.

It will be the first time in the borough's history that this unique honour, which dates back to ancient times, has been bestowed.

Plans have been revealed for a ceremony to take place on Saturday, April 16.

A special council meeting will be convened in the town hall followed by a service in the Parish Church of St Laurence and a presentation of the freedom scroll to the regiment at Astley Hall.

The regiment will then exercise its freedom by marching through Astley Park and the town centre.

Members of the unit have welcomed the news.

Colonel John Downham, speaking on behalf of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), said: "The regiment is absolutely delighted to be recognised by the people of Chorley in this way.

"Many of our recruits come from the area and the proud history is typified by the heroism of the Chorley Pals, who sacrificed so much during the Great War.

"Many of our men are overseas at the moment, but we will be sending a detachment to the festivities who will be representing all the soldiers of the regiment."

The move was proposed by the Mayor of Chorley Danny Gee.

He said: "It's high time the QLR was recognised in this way by the borough.

"The regiment has a long and distinguished history and has recruited many soldiers from this area."

The QLR and its predecessors, which date back to 1782, have more battle honours than any other infantry regiment in the country and it is the only one in the world which has fought on every inhabited continent.

However it is due to merge with two other North West infantry regiments in a military shake-up announced last November, and to become part of a new super regiment, The King's, Lancashire and Border Regiment.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle said: "The honour is fully deserved and recognises how the regiment has been associated with this area for many, many years.

"I think it is also fitting that they are the first to be bestowed with the freedom of Chorley."

The regiment has previously been honoured with the freedom of six towns in the Lancashire recruiting area, and one in Germany.

Traditionally the title gave the holder certain privileges, but these days, it is largely an honorary title in recognition of their achievements.

The QLR was honoured with the Freedom of Spandau, Berlin, in recognition of its tour of duty as the last British infantry regiment to based in the city before the withdrawal of the British Berlin Garrison.

Created in its present form in 1970, the regiment traces its history through The East Lancashire, South Lancashire, and Loyal North Lancashire Regiments back to the birth of the modern British Army in 1689.

The regiment's 1st Battalion is recognised as one of the best recruited in the Army, and is one of the few whose soldiers still come almost entirely from its home area.