CENTRAL London came to a standstill as huge crowds paid tribute to West Midland soldiers who have returned home from Afghanistan after the heaviest period of fighting since the US-led invasion in 2001.

Black cabs stopped in the street and tourists were busy taking photos as troops from Normandy Company marched down the Mall and past Buckingham Palace.

The soldiers, many from Birmingham, were collecting their operational medals from the Prince of Wales after returning home from Afghanistan last month.

Incredibly, despite fierce fighting with the Taliban, all 80 soldiers came back without major injury and only one suffered a bullet wound.

The 4 Mercian infantry unit, who are all reservists with the Territorial Army, were initially deployed to protect Camp Bastion from rocket and mortar attacks.

But after three months their plans changed and half of the unit joined the Welsh Guards in the Green Zone, where they were responsible for providing security to a town ahead of the general election.

Just weeks before they arrived in the Basharan region, a head teacher of a local school was beheaded by Taliban fighters.

Major Chris Carter, from Sheldon, who commanded Normandy Company, said: “The soldiers worked extremely hard and did a lot of extremely good work.

“At Camp Bastion they provided vital support to the medical emergency response teams and in the Green Zone they helped secure Basharan and rebuild a school.

“We are very fortunate that the Prince of Wales presented us with these medals.

“It is a very special moment – a once in a lifetime occasion – that everyone here will have savoured. I am very proud of all the soldiers and I know their families feel the same way too.”

Led by the Band of the Royal Artillery and their mascot, Derby the ram, the servicemen marched to Clarence House bathed in glorious sunshine.

They were presented with their operational medals by Prince Charles in an hour-long ceremony at the royal residence.

Family and friends were invited to the presentation which was followed by a formal reception.

Lieutenant Colonel Martyn Forgrave, commanding officer of the battalion, said: “These soldiers were the first to go on joint patrols with the US Marine Corps and the Afghan National Army.

“They were also involved in a three-week long kinetic phase where there were numerous fire fights with the Taliban.

“It is not very often at all that a TA company will march down The Mall and into a royal household to be presented with medals.

“The one bit of advice I gave the soldiers before they left was to enjoy the day.

“They deserve this moment and they should be very proud of what they have achieved.”