THE streets of Swindon were filled with a cacophony of trumpet calls, cheers and drum beats yesterday, as airmen and women from RAF Lyneham marched through the town.

Crowds of onlookers stopped to stare at the spectacular display of military grandeur, which weaved its way through the town centre at lunchtime.

RAF Lyneham famous for its fleet of Hercules aircraft put on the parade to exercise its right to Freedom of the Borough, which was granted in May 1964.

This allows them to march through the town with bayonets accompanied by an RAF band and flag bearers.

Lyneham was granted the honour 36 years ago, in recognition of good services to the borough, said Sqn Ldr Christopher Bartle.

It represents the strong relationship between Swin-don and the airbase.

This year's march was special for the station's personnel, because it formed part of RAF Lyneham's 60th anniversary celebrations.

The event began at the civic offices in Euclid Street, where officers stood in ceremony before a line of local dignitaries.

On her last full day in office, Swindon Mayor Joy Brunt led the procession into the streets of Swindon.

Shoppers and traffic stopped in their tracks as hundreds of men and women passed by with standards flying, batons twirling and bayonets fixed. Not even the drizzly, dull weather could put a dampener on the blaze of gold and blue.

The parade finished in Commercial Road where the official salute was taken by the mayor and Lyneham's Station Commander, Gp Cpt Steve Duffill, while one of Lyneham's famous Hercules aircraft flew overhead.

For many of the onlookers, including Clifford Gledhill of Wootton Bassett, the parade was nostalgic.

I was based at Lyneham from 1947 to 52, and I came especially to see the march past today, he said. The tradition hadn't started then, but I remember doing this kind of thing.

RAF Lyneham's jubilee celebrations continue this evening, when Princess Anne visits the base.