SOLDIERS are to march through a town in recognition of their efforts.

Civic leaders have announced that the work of the soldiers from the Fourth Mechanised Brigade, based in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, will be recognised with a civic ceremony in Darlington next year.

Darlington Partnership and Darlington Borough Council are organising the ceremony for the brigade’s men and women, who are preparing to serve in Afghanistan.

The brigade, known as the Black Rats, was previously based in Osnabruck, Germany, but moved to Catterick last year.

Partnership chairman Alasdair MacConachie, who is also County Durham’s High Sheriff, said: “I am full of admiration for the young men and women of our Armed Forces, and am very proud of Darlington’s association with Fourth Mechanised Brigade and Catterick Garrison.

“Throughout the coming year, our Armed Forces face tough and challenging work in the most extreme of conditions, whilst continuing to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, bravery and skill.

“We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

“I will look forward to sharing our thanks and our messages of support with them over the coming year and will look to cement our relationship with a special day full of colour, ceremony and civic pride.”

Ada Burns, the chief executive of Darlington Borough Council, said: “Darlington has a proud history of service and association with the Armed Forces who reside at Catterick Garrison.

“We are delighted to take this opportunity to put in place plans for a formal acknowledgement of their work.”

Brigadier Richard Felton said: “I am thrilled by the support that Darlington Partnership and Darlington Borough Council have given to Fourth Mechanised Brigade over the last 15 months following our return from Germany, and very much look forward to the civil ceremony planned for 2010.

“It is absolutely essential to have strong links with the wider community that we serve, and your continued support means so much, not only to the soldiers and officers of Four Brigade, but also to their families.”