SERVING members and veterans of the Parachute regiments from the Second World War will pay their own tribute to the people of Wootton Bassett on Sunday.

At least 18 standard bearers are expected to lead the parade, which will culminate in a service at the war memorial and the sounding of the Last Post at 12.15pm.

The occasion, which follows last Sunday’s tribute by up to 15,000 bikers from across the UK, is being staged following a link-up between the Paras’ regimental association in Colchester and the Royal British Legion.

Also expected to be taking part will be the wives and children of some the 17 Paras who have been repatriated through Wootton Bassett.

And, to add further to the solemnity of the occasion, veterans of the US 101st Airborne Division – the legendary Band of Brothers with strong ties to Wiltshire – will also be represented.

The event is seen as a particularly poignant mark of respect for the fallen in Afghanistan given the Paras’ casualties there.

Michael Smith, of Swindon, who served with 3 Para in the 1960s, and will be one of the Royal British Legion’s standard bearers, said: “There will be a coach coming from Colchester, and there will be the relatives, widows and children of some of the people who have been lost in Afghanistan – and some of them will be coming privately.

“There will also be some veterans who served at Arnhem and on D-Day.

“It will be quite a range in generations. This is our way of saying thanks to the people of Wootton Bassett.”

A march through the town will be followed by a wreath-laying with the town’s mayor, Councillor Steve Bucknell, in attendance.

Mr Smith added that 200 programmes had been printed for the occasion, but it was difficult to gauge how many people would be present.

The event had been planned for an earlier date but was postponed because of the threatened Islam4UK demonstration, which was cancelled amid intense controversy.

Sunday’s parade and ceremony will take place exactly one week after bikers from throughout the country converged on the town for their own tribute and to raise funds for military forces’ charities.