BUGLES and drummers sounded the retreat of the Royal Green Jackets from their post in Warminster on Tuesday night. Over 500 military personnel and families have been saying farewell to Warminster this week after two years of exercises on Salisbury Plain.

The Sounding of the Retreat was an official display to mark the end of the regiment's stay before it sets off for active service in Northern Ireland.

Commanding officer Lt Col Harry Emck thanked the people of Warminster.

He said: "I am very proud of my regiment and believe our time in Warminster has been successful.

"The town was apprehensive when we arrived but I am extremely happy with our links with the community.

"We have been particularly pleased with our links with local charities and The Minster School.

"We developed a good relationship with the police and it was a great advert for the army to see our soldiers around town smartly dressed in their uniforms."

The retreat, heard at the Battlesbury Barracks, is a traditional ceremony dating back to the 16th century, when soldiers lived with families away from the army campus.

Lt Col Emck said: "When the retreat was first played it was to round up troops billeted to live with families around the town.

"Now we have barracks for the soldiers but the bugle is an extremely important instrument for our regiment and we like to carry on the tradition."

The Royal Green Jackets were stationed in Warminster in 2002 to take part in training exercises on Salisbury Plain.

The posting was planned as a well-earned rest for the 500-strong regiment after three tours of the Balkans during the 1990s.

Lt Col Emck, said: "Although at times the training exercises were a bit repetitive it was a chance to recharge our batteries. Now we are raring to go.

"There are obviously fresh apprehensions about the incoming regiment but I am sure, like us, they will be welcomed by the community."

The barracks in Warminster will be handed over to The Black Watch on March 16.