A mother-of-five from Hastings travelled to Somerset with 13 members of her family to welcome home Royal Marines from their final deployment in Afghanistan.

Sue Cherry, 54, and her family joined thousands in Taunton as Marines marched through their home town yesterday.

Sue’s youngest child, Sam Cherry, 19, is a Royal Marine and served in Afghanistan.

His father, Keith Cherry, 55, also served with the Royal Marines until leaving the forces in 1981.

Mrs Cherry, a personal assistant, said: “We are here to celebrate that our son has returned safely, but also to think of those that didn’t come back.

“It is such a relief to have Sam back, words can’t describe it.

“We knew he was going out there. It is what he joined to do and we supported him.”

Well-wishers waved Union flags and cheered loudly to formally welcome home troops from 40 Commando.

Marines will later be presented with campaign medals at their base, Norton Manor Camp, near Taunton.