THOUSANDS lined the streets of Dorchester to cheer soldiers from the Rifles on a homecoming march from Afghanistan.

An estimated 3,000 people cheered, clapped and shouted support as 150 uniformed officers and soldiers from A Company 4th Battalion paraded through the county town.

Soldiers said they were delighted and surprised by the fantastic turn out.

Friends, families, schoolchildren, market day shoppers, office workers and shop staff were among those to pay tribute.

It was a day of mixed emotions for Karen Charman-Allen of Verwood. She wore her late son Phil Allen’s medal on her chest and shed a tear in his memory.

Karen, who is raising money for the Rifles Care for Casualties charity, said: “I felt so proud during the march.

“The public support was absolutely phenomenal and it was fantastic to see so many people.

“The church service was very, very emotional.

“Thank you to Dorchester for the turn-out and support.”

Rifleman Phil, 20, who was a former pupil at Penwithen School in Dorchester, was killed by a roadside bomb near Sangin in Helmand while on patrol with the Rifles last November.

Among the crowds were Margaret Moore, Daphne Eavis and Mary Ridout, who each had a husband or partner carrying an army standard.

Margaret, who lives in Swanage with husband Harry, said: “We are here to say thank you to the soldiers for what they are doing for the country.”

Mary Ridout, who comes from Wool with partner Ken Shipton, said: “We have to support the soldiers.”

Among the soldiers were Rifleman Mark Hoyle, 19, of Poole, who said: “It was really good to see people show their support in this way.

“It was a real boost to morale.”