Landlocked Birmingham saw a sea of Naval blue march through its heart, when RN Reservists from HMS Forward exercised the ancient right to receive the Freedom of the City of Birmingham.

More than 150 reservists, all from the local area and in full-time civilian employment, marched in the city, accompanied by the Band of the Royal Marines as they made their way to the Council House on Colmore Row.

Here they formed up for the parade on Victoria Square to await inspection by the Lord Mayor, Cllr John Alden.

After the inspection, the parade marched through the city centre with colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed.

Said Commanding Officer Cdr Steve Collins: “To be awarded the Freedom of the City is a great honour and we are extremely proud to be recognised in this way.

“Even though the city is so far from the sea, Birmingham has strong maritime links and the Royal Navy and Naval Reserves have always recruited well here.”

HMS Forward received the accolade to recognise the significant contribution made to Birmingham and the Royal Navy by the Reservists over many years.

The bond between the Midlands city and the Naval Reserves began during World War II with the formation of the Birmingham Communications Training unit, later to become HMS Forward.

The unit has some 180 members, a number of whom have seen service in the Balkans and Middle East in recent years.

Last year more than 125 of them paraded before the Prince of Wales on Horse Guards Parade to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Naval Reserve.

Back on the waterfront, the most senior man among Reservists, Major General His Grace the Duke of Westminster, paid a visit to the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Reservists at the Royal Naval HQ Merseyside in Liverpool.

The Duke, in his role as Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets), saw the Liverpool Reservists put through their paces.

The Duke himself has been a member of the Territorial Army for over 34 years.