Dukes are to be given Freedom of Craven

The Colonel, Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, will be presented with a scroll granting the freedom by council chairman Coun Ken Hart.

It will be the first time that the district council has ever granted the Freedom of the District, and it will provide an opportunity for the Dukes to exercise their right to march through the town by virtue of the Honorary Citizenship conferred by Skipton Town Council in 1991.

The ceremony is expected to draw large crowds.

Starting at 10.45am, around 200 soldiers, supported by the King's Division Normandy Band and the Corps of Drums, will march from Newmarket Street, up Bunkers Hill and Rectory Lane, down The Bailey to the Town Hall where it will halt for the ceremony.

The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne, Coun Hart and Skipton mayor Coun Andrew Rankine will inspect the troops while Craven's chief executive Rachel Mann reads out the Grant of the Freedomn.

The troops will then march down the High Street, along Swadford Street, Coach Street, Water Street and Mill Bridge, and back to the Town Hall where they will give a final salute.

The ceremony is one of a series of celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of the Regiment, which has traditionally recruited from the West Riding area.

Coun Hart said: "Craven District Council is honoured to grant the officers and soldiers of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment the Freedom of Craven."

During the event Bunkers Hill and the High Street will be closed and police are urging people to find alternative routes if possible.

Inspector Tad Nowakowski said: "There will be a disruption to traffic and I am asking people to be understanding."

He added because it was a military event, security measures had to be put in place and this may cause further disruption.

"It will be very labour intensive in terms of policing but well worth it to ensure everyone enjoys the event," Insp Nowakowski added.

He is urging motorists not to park along the march route.