BAYONETS were fixed as gunners exercised their Freedom of Sunderland with a city centre parade today.

The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery has a long association with Sunderland and was granted the Freedom of Sunderland in 1974.

It is known as the 'North East Gunners' because it recruits from across the region.

As the parade concluded, three of the regiment's 105mm 'light guns' fired seven rounds each for a 21 gun salute from the terrace in Mowbray Park.

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Led by the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps, the Regiment had stepped off for its parade at noon and was cheered on by city centre crowds.

Addressing the Regiment, Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Alan Emerson said: "Since you last paraded through our streets in 2014, there has been much change: you have consolidated your skills on new equipment; you have exercised around the world and you have continued to pursue technical and tactical excellence wherever you may go with an ever present fondness for the North-East infused in all you do.

"Today gives the city the opportunity to pay tribute to you all, including your families and support networks, and as Mayor of Sunderland, I am so very proud to represent the people of our city by welcoming you all here today."

In recent years, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery has served in Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Iraq and on peace-keeping duties with the United Nations in Cyprus, as well as three tours of Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Alston MBE, Commanding Officer 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, said: "The opportunity to exercise the Regiment's Freedom of Sunderland is one of the highlights of our year.

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"Our relationship with Sunderland is deep, enduring and we are all proud of our association."

The Mayor of Sunderland, and the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Susan Winfield OBE inspected the Regiment and took the salute from the War Memorial in Burdon Road.

Altogether, more than 130 gunners were in the parade. The Lord Lieutenant, who is HM The Queen's representative, said: "I am delighted to welcome the 4th Regiment of the Royal Artillery to the city for today's Freedom Parade.

"I value their special relationship with Sunderland as well as their wider community links within the North-East.

"We should all be very proud of the role the regiment plays, and the dedicated and loyal service of its gunners."

In recent years, the Regiment has exercised its Freedom in 2008, 2010 and 2013 after each tour of Afghanistan, and in 2014 to mark its 40th Freedom anniversary.

The Regiment fired guns on Building Hill, Mowbray Park, next to the statue of General Henry Havelock, in July 2008 after returning from its first Afghan tour and in 2014 fired guns from the park's terrace.

It is based in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, and continues to train for potential deployments across the world.