Epsom and Ewell Council deny honour to regiment

Epsom and Ewell Council, which is controlled by Residents Association, has decided not to honour soldiers from the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment on the grounds that "it is not local enough." The regiment is based in Guildford and many other local councils have honoured them - include Tunbridge Wells which is 50 miles away. The custom is for the regiment to be given the "Freedom of the Borough" - this doesn't cost anything but is much appreciated when the soldiers march through the streets of their town when returning home from fighting.

Lib Dem councillors have backed the refusal to honour the troops. But Cllr Sean Sullivan, a Conservative opposition councillor says:

'The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment contains what used to be the East Surrey regiment. This is a local regiment.

'It would be wrong and downright offensive to refuse to honour this regiment.'