THE parents of a soldier awarded the Military Cross for bravery have criticised Southend authorities for not honouring military heroes.

Cpl Robert Moore, from the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, received the medal from the Queen for his bravery in Afghanistan in April 2007.

But his dad, also Robert Moore, is furious that while his son has received an honour, many returning soldiers are never recognised locally for their valiant service. Mr Moore, of Kings Road, Westcliff, said: "It's a pity Southend could not have done something here for the military.

"Robert has had his day but the regiment is made up of a lot of boys from Southend, including many who were wounded.

"All around East Anglia there have been parades but nothing here, despite it being one of the biggest recruiting areas.

"It makes me angry. For every serving military member given a medal there are hundreds behind them who get nothing."

Parades for returning soldiers have been held in Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester and Thurrock, but not in Southend.

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: "It is right to recognise them, but it's important we ask them what they want."

Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said: "Because we don't have a barracks here, we don't have a united return to our town, so we often don't know when soldiers are returning.

"If someone wants to come up with an idea to focus the town on this I'm happy to look at it."

Cpl Moore, 31, received the Military Cross, the third highest honour a soldier can receive, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday in front of proud parents Robert and Lynda and his tearful grandmother Billie Hyett, 88.