One of the Army's most battle hardened battalion's will once again be marching through Croydon this weekend.

The 2nd Battalion, the Rifles, will be parading through North End on Saturday from 10:45am.

The parade will be the first time troops from the battalion have taken advantage of their right of Freedom of Entry to the borough, gifted to them in March last year.

In October 2009, the town centre was brought to a virtual standstill as thousands of people lined the streets, waving flags and cheering the battalion on.

Later in the day several soldiers were turned away from Tiger Tiger for being in uniform which prompted more than 5,000 people to join a group calling for others to boycott the bar.

Tiger Tiger has now offered to host brave troops after they march through Croydon on Saturday.

Darren Gaffney, new general manager of Tiger Tiger Croydon, said he would be happy to show there was no hard feelings by letting the soldiers into Tiger Tiger for a drink.

Mr Gaffney said: “We would be delighted to host the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion the Rifles on Saturday, to show our appreciation for the service they recently provided in Afghanistan.

“ They are heroes, and they deserve a heroes’ welcome.”

The Rifles, who were based in Southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, were one of the hardest hit regiments in that area.

Croydon Rifleman, Danny “Simo” Simpson was killed by insurgents while on a routine foot patrol near the town of Sangin in Helmand Province.

The 20-year-old father of one was injured in an improvised explosive blast and died from a second explosion, along with Rifleman Joseph Murphy, as he was being carried to safety.

His comrades will march from outside Marks & Spencer before parading to the Town Hall in Katharine Street where they will be inspected by Croydon Mayor, Councillor Avril Slipper.

The inspection will be followed by the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the battalion’s Freedom of Entry.

The band and bugles of The Rifles will then stage a concert in Croydon Parish Church in Church Street, Croydon at 3.30pm.

For more information or to buy tickets contact the Mayor's office one 020 8760 5764 or email the.mayor@croydon.gov.uk