SOLDIERS should be given the freedom of Basildon, a councillor claimed.

Andrew Baggott, Tory councillor responsible for community, said Basildon Council should give the Royal Anglian Regiment the honour when it officially takes borough status next month.

It was recently reported the Queen had granted the council’s wish to change from a district to a borough.

When it receives the official seal, the council can use its new status to give Freedom of the Borough to individuals and groups, such as regiments.

The regiment already has the Freedom of Southend, and thousands of people clamoured to see the troops exercise their freedom by marching through the town in June.

Mr Baggott, who strongly backs the borough status, said it would be well-deserved by the soldiers.

He said: “You couldn’t miss the atmosphere of patriotism that came when the Royal Anglians marched in Basildon last year.

“We have a number of soldiers serving, so as a community to be able to do something symbolic to recognise what they do has to be something I would welcome.

“If anyone was going to be the first to get given the freedom of the borough, it would be the Royal Anglians.”

The freedom of the borough can be given to people who have served the area or council exceptionally well.

Lynda Gordon, Labour opposition leader, said while she believed borough status was “pretentious nonsense”, she would not oppose using the new power.

She said: “If we do have borough status, I have no objection to people being given freedom of the borough, although I don’t know what value it will be to them.”