Triumphant homecoming as troops stage first march past Parliament of British soldiers serving in Iraq

Having survived a daily threat of roadside bombs in Iraq, nothing was going to spoil their big moment... not even a few anti-war protesters.

The 120 soldiers from the 4th Mechanised Brigade were ‘unperturbed’ by the smattering of demonstrators who turned up as they marched to Parliament for a reception with MPs.

The 4th Mechanised Brigade march into Parliament

It was the first time troops serving in Iraq had marched outside Parliament, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Their presence was a sign of the Government’s approval of homecoming parades, which are becoming increasingly popular across the country.

Commander Brigadier Julian Free described the reception hosted by James Gray, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Army, as a ‘huge honour’.

He said his brigade, which lost one serviceman during its tour in Basra, was positive about the progress it made in the city. Security in Iraq had been 'transformed' and he claimed the country could soon be ready for the complete withdrawal of British forces.

He said: 'Security there has taken a massive turn for the better. The Iraq army have helped us along.'

When asked if he thought British troops could pull out soon, he added: 'It will be a smooth and steady programme. The Iraqis are keen to do more for themselves and I think they will soon be in a position where they can take over.'

Representatives from the brigade marched from Wellington Barracks for a reception with MPs.

More than 120 representatives from the brigade marched from Wellington Barracks

Speaking before the reception, Commander Brigadier Free added that there had been a 'massive' improvement between British-Iraqi relations during his six-month operational tour in the Basra province.

The brigade oversaw the handover of security of the area to the Iraqis, helped train the Iraqi army and then supported them as they launched recent security operations.

Commander Brigadier Free said: 'Things have improved massively. They are in a position now where they can maintain security almost without our help.'

The MoD said it was the first time British troops on operation in Iraq had gone on to march through Parliament

They were welcomed to the reception by MP James Gray, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Army.

More than 100 representatives from the brigade were welcomed for a drinks reception.

Commander Brigadier Free said his troops had been 'totally unperturbed' by a hoard of anti-war protesters gathered outside Parliament as they marched past.

The 4th Mechanised Brigade march into Parliament for the first time in 400 years

He described the day as a huge honour, adding: 'To be asked to come down here and do this was an incredible opportunity.'

He said his brigade, which lost one serviceman during the tour, were feeling very positive about the progress they have made in Basra.

He said: 'I think we have had a big difference principally because they (the Iraqi people) asked us to go along.

'They were welcoming and that is a huge change from anything we have had before.

'We are all pulling in the same direction - that is very positive.'