SOLDIERS of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment made history when they provided The Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace for the first time.

The 1st Bn was led on parade on Saturday by its regimental mascot, a Swaledale Ram, on his first public appearance.

The battalion has recently moved from Chester to Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow, in order to assume the role of public duties battalion.

These duties also include guarding the Tower of London, St James's Palace and Windsor Castle.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Westley, the battalion's commanding officer, said: "It was a proud day for the regiment. My soldiers have worked hard to reach the highest standard of turnout. They gave their best."

The battalion has recently returned from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan and will deploy to Belize on exercise in November.

It will be the Army's high readiness battalion for instant deployment. anywhere in January in addition to performing public duties.

The Regiment recruits its soldiers from Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire, was formed in February 1970 from The Worcestershire Regiment and The Sherwood Foresters.