John Mardell, of Bulwell, is well known as the secretary of Hucknall Angling Club.

But he is celebrating this week after his son, 26-year-old Corporal Mark Mardell, came home to Nottingham.

Mark has just completed his third tour of duty battling the Taliban in the war-torn country. He is a member of the 2nd battalion of the Mercian Regiment.

John (53), who lives on Mollington Square, Hollydene Park, told the Dispatch: "He is back and in one piece. That is all you can hope for."

Mark, who is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is aiming to spend the festive season with his loved ones.

"That should include a visit to see me," added John. "But I think his girlfriend will come first!"

Computer-programmer John was among the crowds who flocked to Nottingham city centre this month for a homecoming parade for Mark and his fellow Mercians. An estimated 10,000 spectators offered a heroes' welcome.

Of the parade, John said: "It was a privilege to see all those brave lads and lasses march through their home city.

"The reception from the crowds gathered along the route stirred great emotion, not only among the crowd but also from the troops themselves.

"The people of Nottingham showed great pride and appreciation for the Mercians. The spontaneous reactions of the crowd, who cheered and applauded, was fantastic."

Mark grew up in Beeston and followed in the footsteps of his grandad, Frank Mardell, when he joined the armed forces.

For Frank was a member of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, which is the previous name of the Mercians.

Mark has been in the Army for nine years and in Afghanistan, he has fought primarily in the dangerous Helmand Province.

One of his former colleagues was Lance Corporal Paul Sandford, of Hucknall, who was tragically killed in Helmand in June 2007.

Mark even has the word 'Sandy' tattooed on his wrist as a reminder of his fallen colleague.

The homecoming parade was led by the band of the Prince Of Wales Regiment. It went from St Mary's Church in the Lace Market to the Old Market Square.

A ceremony was held and then the soldiers were guests of Nottingham City Council and Notts County Council in the ballroom of the Council House.

John said: "The pride of seeing my son march through his home city with all of his mates is a feeling that will stay with me for a very long time.

"It was almost shocking to see how young some of them looked. My thoughts did turn to the families of the five Mercians who did not return and how saddened they must have felt not seeing their sons on parade."

The battalion are now based in Belfast. But many of the soldiers are from Nottinghamshire.

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton, who is commanding officer of the Mercians, said afterwards: "This is one of the loveliest things we have the honour of doing. For them (the Nottinghamshire soldiers) to come back for their home city and home county to honour them in this way is remarkable.

"Soldiers are sometimes too humble about what they achieve. We have some young lads and this will have been one of the best days of their lives."

During the parade, protesters against the war in Afghanistan infiltrated the crowd. And one tried to hand a leaflet to John. But he says a few "Anglo-Saxon expletives soon sent him on his way".

He added: "Welcome home 2nd Mercians. You are all a credit to Nottinghamshire and the job you are doing is appreciated by the vast majority of residents."