A homecoming parade for troops fighting in Afghanistan has been refused permission by Leicester City Council.

The authority turned down a request for a city centre parade by the 9th/12th Royal Lancers – despite holding one in 2009 on the regiment's return from Iraq.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby defended the council's decision, saying that the city had a special relationship with a different regiment, the Royal Anglians.

But Amanda Crowden, Leicestershire co-ordinator for the charity Support Our Soldiers, said: "It's a snub to the city and county's soldiers.

"Local lads are out in Afghanistan risking their lives right now. The least the city council can do is to give them a proper welcome.

"The regiment's headquarters are right on the edge of the city, in South Wigston.

"They're local lads and they're being snubbed. The council should think again."

In 2009, thousands of members of the public brought the city centre to a standstill as they welcomed the regiment back from Iraq. The troops were met by the then Lord Mayor Manjula Sood.

But this time, on their return in the autumn from a six-month deployment in war-torn Afghanistan, there will not be a welcoming parade.

A serving soldier with the regiment, which recruits extensively in Leicestershire and Rutland, contacted the Mercury about the issue, but asked for his name not to be published.

He said: "The lads feel let down.

"Knowing that you'll get a rapturous reception in your home city when you return from combat is something that keeps you going.

"Your family and friends are all there and you feel proud as punch.

"I'm gutted, really."

Jim Rowlinson, chairman of the Royal British Legion in Leicestershire, said: "I'm surprised, given that the regiment recruits from the area.

"I'll do whatever I can to persuade the council to change its mind."

Conservative city councillor Ross Grant said: "It's an absolutely disgusting decision. These guys are putting their lives on the line but the city council won't give them the recognition they deserve.

"I cannot understand why the city mayor would not overrule such an incredibly insensitive decision."

The council could not provide an estimate for how much a homecoming parade would cost but Councillor Grant believed that it would be £20,000 at most.

Sir Peter said: "There was an informal discussion with the Lancers a while ago.

"I didn't completely engage with it but I think the decision was down to our ongoing special relationship with the Royal Anglian Regiment.

"That regiment was given the freedom of the city in 1996, when I was leader of the council, and I'm due to meet with it in the near future.

"I think the council has taken the view that that's our main relationship."

When asked whether the council could recognise the role of more than one local regiment, he said: "We could.

"There are a number of homecoming parades we could hold. But our relationship is with the Royal Anglians."