People lined the streets of Chatham to cheer the Royal Engineers as they received the Freedom of Medway.

Sappers marched from Kitchener Barracks to the new Medway Council headquarters in Dock Road watched by onlookers who were undeterred by the rain.

Medway Mayor Cllr David Carr and the Lord Lieutenant Allan Willett took the salute at Gun Wharf.

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest civic distinction that can be conferred.

It is to recognise the contribution the Corps of Royal Engineers has made to Medway.

Brigadier Tony Harking, commandant of the Royal School of Military Engineering at Brompton Barracks, said: “This is a fantastic recognition of the commitment we have had to the Medway area for many years.”

Cllr Carr formally presented a scroll and casket conferring the Freedom to Gen Sir Kevin O’Donoghue, the Chief Royal Engineer.

Cllr Carr said: “The very presence of the Royal Engineers raises standards in our community.”