THE captain of HMS Ledbury has asked if his crew can parade through the town.

Commander Peter Olive has written to the mayor asking if he can bring the ship's company to Ledbury in October

A parade would celebrate the safe return of servicemen and women who saw active service during the Iraq War.

Cmdr Olive said: "Hopefully the response will be favourable, so I can parade the chaps through town."

News of the request for a homecoming parade has been greeted with delight by community leaders.

The mayor, Coun Keith Francis, said: "It would be wonderful, and an opportunity for Ledbury to show its support for the crew. It would be one of the highlights of my year as mayor.

"Whatever you think of the conflict, we must support the people who were involved."

Coun Francis said one possibility would be to hold a civic reception on the same day.

He praised his predecessor, Coun Noel Roberts, for sending a letter of support to the crew before the conflict started, and added: "The request for a parade shows the close contact that the ship has with the town. The crew has always been involved in community events, from the carnival to Remembrance Day."

Coun Don Rule, the county chairman of the Royal British Legion and a member of Herefordshire Council's ruling cabinet, said: "It really is tremendous news and a great honour for Ledbury.

"I will do anything I can to help. I am certain it will be a great occasion."

Coun Rule, who is a church warden at St Michael and All Angels, suggested a special service should take place before or after the parade.

The crew of the minesweeper HMS Ledbury found themselves in the thick of the conflict, tackling mine clearing in hostile waters 24 hours a day from March 20 to April 26.

Cmdr Olive said: "The highlight for us was definitely finding four live mines and detonating them just 24 hours before Sir Galahad arrived with the world's press.

"I can't really recommend Iraq as a holiday resort just yet. Danger was ever present. In fact, Royal Marines operating on shore found an Iraqi suicide boat hidden within a hundred yards of where the ship was operating. Luckily, they never got to use it.

"As well as clearing mines, we also escorted shipping up the river to the port of Umm Qasr."

HMS Ledbury is due back at Portsmouth on August 4.

Cmdr Olive has already managed a spot of shore leave back in the UK, to be there for the birth of his second child, Sophia.