THE Rifles Regiment was given the Freedom of the City of Plymouth in a colourful ceremony yesterday.

The regiment was formed in 2007 from an amalgamation of four others, including the Devon and Dorsets, which was previously granted the honour.

Council leader Vivien Pengelly said: "Plymouth is rightly proud of its links with the military and now, more than ever, the people of Plymouth are conscious of the bravery and dedication shown by the extraordinary men and women who make up this regiment."

The Rifles will exercise their Freedom of the City by marching down Royal Parade next year.

During yesterday's ceremony in the council chamber the Rev Ian Provost, the Lord Mayor's chaplain, remembered 'all who have died for our country', including Rifleman Sam Bassett of Torpoint.

Rfn Bassett, 20, died in hospital on Remembrance Sunday after being caught up in a blast in Sangin, Afghanistan, during a routine patrol.

Other Rifles servicemen with links to Plymouth who have died in recent conflicts include Captain Mark Hale of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, who died in August this year; Lance Corporal Paul Upton and Lance Corporal Stephen Kingscott, both of 1st Battalion The Rifles, who died in February; Acting Corporal Richard Robinson, also of 1st Battalion The Rifles, who died in January; Sergeant Chris Reed who was serving with 6th Battalion The Rifles as part of the Territorial Army; and Private Jonathan Kitulagoda, who died in January 2004 serving with The Rifle Volunteers.

Brigadier Jolyon Jackson, the Rifles Colonel for the South West counties, told the assembled city councillors: "You do us a great honour.

"You have a great city and we have a great regiment."

He said the Regiment had suffered a heavy toll in Iraq and Afghanistan, with 34 killed over the past three years.

He presented a bugle to the city, joking to the Lord Mayor that it would probably take 'a couple of weeks' to match the quality of the Rifles buglers, who played The Rifles Assembly to mark the end of the ceremony.

The Rifles is a revived Regimental name from the time of the Peninsular War in the early 19th century. "The basic raw ingredient of the men hasn't changed," Brig Jackson said. "They are strong team players, fit and very brave."

The Rifles march at 140 paces a minute, 20 paces faster than other soldiers in the British Army. Cllr Ken Foster, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, asked where they took their place in a parade. Brig Jackson said: "They take their place at the rear, start late, catch up and then stop to let the others get ahead. It's great fun, livens up the parade – and it annoys the Guardsmen."