I attended a Homecoming Ceremony at South Shields Town Hall to welcome home the local heroes who have risked their lives on the front line in Afghanistan and Iraq.  

Despite the torrential rain, I joined crowds and Mayor of South Tyneside Councillor John Anglin, who gathered to honour volunteer service personnel from 205 Battery 4, Platoon 12 Company, 4^th Battalion The Parachute Regiment in Hebburn on their return from service.

The Ceremony was also a time when families and those who had gathered were able to remember those still serving and those who sadly never returned home from the recent conflicts in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosova, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland.

I was honoured to attend the moving Homecoming Ceremony in the Borough to show our appreciation to our soldiers for the work they have been doing to help our country more secure.

Even in such difficult weather conditions it was wonderful to see that so many people in our area turned out to show their appreciation to our troops. It was a very moving day. I am proud that the people of South Tyneside turned out to show how appreciative they are and how much they mean to them.