FLAGS of The Poachers regiment will hang proudly at a reunion to honour their service in conflict.

The reunion, to be held next month at the Beachcomber, in Humberston, is expected to bring 500 servicemen and their families to Cleethorpes for the celebration.

Comrades from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment, known as The Poachers, will rekindle their friendship and solidarity.

North East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire have been popular recruiting grounds for the regiment.

Retired warrant officers Denis Watson and Frank Rimmer have organised the reunion along with Steve Chew and Tim Smith.

During their years of service in the battalion, 10 of the 13 warrant officers looking after the regiment came from the Grimsby area.

Previous reunions have attracted ex-servicemen and their families from Canada, Thailand and Germany.

Denis said: "It is a helpful boost to the local economy with so many coming for the weekend. It helps hotels, pubs, clubs and taxi firms.

Last year, proceeds of the reunion topped £800, which was presented to St Andrew's Hospice in Grimsby.

This year, the regimental reunion will raise money for the Leicester and Rutland Hospice.

Organisers have also raised money for the family of ex-battalion member Kev Gibbs, who died last month aged 52.

His son Eddie will be one half of the duo Out Of Order, appearing with Marcus Stephens who will entertain the former troops and their relatives at the reunion.

Many of the members have seen action in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan or were stationed in Cyprus.

The reunion will not just be for retired members, but for serving troops as well.

The regimental reunion website www.grimsbypoachers.com has had nearly 30,000 visitors since it was set up two of years ago.

Denis, 57, said: "It is important for all the family members to get together. While we were all posted away they were at home looking after one another.

"It is a social event and people come along, wear what

they want and come with who they want."

He said regimental flags, including their own with the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment's sphinx over the Northamptonshire Regiment's Battle of Honour Talavera, will adorn the venue along with national flags of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

Denis added: "We are all excited about it. You get in there and see people. It fosters a camaraderie like no other."

He thanked owners of The Beachcomber for hosting the event.

He is also appealing to businesses in northern Lincolnshire, or anyone who wishes to donate a raffle prize, to contact them.

The reunion will be held at The Beachcomber, on March 24, and details are available from Frank Rimmer, on 07879 625338 or e-mail frank.rimmer@ntlworld.com and Denis Watson on 07597 395411 or e-mail denis.watson@ntlworld.com