THE Mayor of Taunton Deane, Cllr Jefferson Horsley, was among those to address the all those who turned out in pouring rain to watch yesterday’s 40 Commando Royal Marines march through Taunton.

The Mayor said: “It was truly wonderful to see so many people brave such terrible weather to pay tribute to 40 Commando.

“We have adopted them as honorary citizens. I can truly say that wherever I go in Taunton Deane there is a sense of togetherness and support that goes beyond normal relationships even expected in garrison towns. They indeed are special to us.

“We can only pay homage to the brave members of 40 Commando who have just returned from Afghanistan. It is fitting that they should exercise their right to march through Taunton and that, we the people, should turn out to greet them.

“Nearly all the citizens of Taunton Deane will have been touched in one way or another by the losses that they experienced during their tour of duty. We have prayed for them and their families and we have acknowledged their suffering and the dangers that they confronted. Let them revel in their safe homecoming and let us pray for a peaceful future for all of us.”