PLANS for an event in Thornbury to salute Britain's servicemen and women have been scaled down.

It was originally hoped that Armed Forces personnel freshly returned from Iraq and Afghanistan would take part in a "welcome home" parade through the town.

But service chiefs have told the town council that units are so stretched that insufficient numbers would be available to take part.

Instead, plans are now being drawn up for a combined Forces static display in the town this April, featuring mostly Territorial and cadet units.

The decision has disappointed retired teacher David Goldring, from Alveston, who first launched the idea of a parade - with backing from Thornbury Chamber of Commerce - in response to reports of towns shunning similar events owing to divided opinion on UK military actions overseas.

His original proposal was for an hour-long parade to include a platoon of Grenadier Guards and soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Rifles (incorporating the former Gloucestershire Regiment) from Beachley Barracks.

Other detachments from regular and volunteer service groups from around the region were also set to take part and cadet forces and veterans' organisations had also been invited to take part in the event, ending with a reception in the Armstrong Hall.

"A static display won't be the same as a parade which would have given people the opportunity to express appreciation for our troops' sterling service and would also have drawn people into the town," said Mr Goldring.

"Of course, I'm pleased that something is going ahead but I do feel a little hurt that after all my work on the project I now seem to be no longer part of the organising group."

Town mayor Bob Griffin said that owing to heavy commitments the Army had been unable to identify any full time unit that would be available for a parade.

But it had been suggested that at the invitation of the town council a static display could be held in the St Mary Centre on either April 12 or 19.

It would include representatives of the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Army and cadet forces and a military band would also be provided.