The battalion, which was formed on September 1, 2007, will march through part of Oldbury on Tuesday(March9).

The battalion which has carried out three tours of Afghanistan in the last five years, is exercising its freedom to march through 11 towns and boroughs.

The battalion's commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Colin Marks said: "These events are ideal opportunities for friends and families to welcome home the Mercian Regiment after a demanding operational tour.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support we received from the people of Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire for their regiment and this is our way of showing our appreciation to them."

During the last six month tour five members of the battalion were killed and 20 seriously wounded in one of the bloodiest years for British forces since deploying troops to Afghanistan in 2001.

The parade will form up in the Sandwell Council car park in Dudley Road and the march will start at 12.30pm.

The parade will turn left to the island and then on to the Oldbury Ringway. It will then turn left into Freeth Street passing by the Council House where the mayor will take the salute.

It will then go on to the car park in Dudley Road where it will finish.

Drivers are being warned that a number of roads around Oldbury town centre will be closed on a rolling programme to allow the march to take place safely.