HEROES from across East Lancashire, fresh from the sweltering heat of Afghanistan, braved an icy parade ground to enjoy a richly-deserved homecoming.

Troops from the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment have endured one of their toughest tours to date, helping to bring some semblance of order back to the war-torn Helmand Province.

Three of their comrades, including Earby recruit Jordan Bancroft, 25, paid the ultimate price, losing their lives on the frontline.

But as their memories were honoured at the regimental HQ in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, soldiers also spoke of their pride as they received campaign medals from commanding officer Lieut Col Frazer Lawrence.

Kingsman Ryan King, 27, from Darwen, who had served previoiusly in Iraq, said: "It was a lot more ferocious in Afghanistan. It was constant fighting. But the Afghan people were very friendly.

"More than two weeks ago I was in 59-degree heat but now I've got to cope with the cold. The radiators have been on full blast."

His wife Stephanie King said: "I hope they have had the homecoming they deserve. It makes me proud to see all the families and friends here. Those last weeks were a terrible wait."

And mum Norma King, who runs the Head Case hair salon in Mill Hill, added: "People used to ask me when he was coming back but I used to say that no news was good news."

Major Simon Bloxan-Rose, the unit padre, led a traditional drumhead service, where the battalion colours are laid out over regimental drums, before the medals parade.

Returning to the bosom of the family was key to many servicemen, including Kingsman William Owen, from Brierfield, who had onlyspent a matter of days with his new six-month-old daughter Maecy (corr). His sons Ethan, five and Logan, three, saw him receive his medal.

The 28-year-old former Mansfield High student said: "The hardest thing about being away is the kids because they never get used to it."

Fellow Kingsman Matthew Shuttleworth, from Rawtenstall, said: "It was a dangerous place but in many ways the experience has changed my life."

Kingsman Shaun Aspin, 23, from Colne, who returned home injured in May after being hit by an improvised electronic device, was also on hand to receive his medal. He has returned to active service now after a period of recuperation.

Around a dozen comrades, some in wheelchairs and other still wearing braces or on crutches, joined him on the parade ground.

Corporal Chris McInerney, 24, from Darwen, was among their ranks. Hs leg was badly injured while on patrol in Helmand and his family, including wife Janine, cheered as he was given his medal.

In a private ceremony, a wreath was laid on a newly-installed memorial stone outside the officers' mess at the Catterick barracks in memory of Burnley-born Jordan Bancroft and his colleagues Corporal Taniela Rogoiruwai and Kingsman Ponipate Tagitaginimoce, killed in action.

Later Lieut Col Lawrence said: "Every loss of life is a huge tragedy and a very high price to pay and our thoughts are with those in the battalion who have lost relations.

"I saw real progress in that area, during the six or seven months we were on the district. Just one shop was open when I went there last December but by the time we had left there 400."

The battalion was part of Task Force Helmand, under the command of the 4th Mechanized Brigade, covering the crucial Nad-e-Ali district of the Afghan province.