HOUNSLOW Council has bid farewell to the Irish Guards who have had a presence in the borough for over 200 years, in the same week as Armed Forces Day (June 26).

The closure of Hounslow Cavalry Barracks, which has stood at the heart of the local community for over two centuries, will see the end of the Army's presence in Hounslow after 229 years.

The Ministry of Defence announced in 2016 that the site was no longer needed and that the current occupants, the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, would be relocating.

Cavalry Barracks has some very important historical links to the Borough of Hounslow.

The site on Hounslow Heath was used by Oliver Cromwell at the end of the Civil War in 1647 and was the first of 40 barracks established to guard against the threat of a Napoleonic invasion.

Since then, multiple regiments have occupied the barracks, including the Middlesex Regiment, the Grenadier Guards, Scots Guards, Welsh Guards and Irish Guards.

The Irish Guards can be used among other things for ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Palace.

The site is also famous because it is thought that Florence Nightingale was influential in the design proposed in 1862.

Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Bishnu Gurung, said: "The Hounslow Cavalry Barracks have been deeply rooted within our borough and community for over 200 years.

"It is with great sadness that this long and proud military heritage of the barracks is ending, but we are grateful to all the regiments that have called Hounslow home while serving the United Kingdom."

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Money, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said: "The British Army has a long tradition in Hounslow and, over three centuries, it has built solid relationships within the community.

"Our departure brings those physical connections to an end, but we have made many friends in the borough and we are grateful for the unstinting support the community has offered to our families and soldiers.

"We anticipate that we will remain part of the fabric of the society here well into the future."

Looking towards the future of the Cavalry Barracks site, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Lily Bath, said: "The Council took the chance to preserve the long and proud military heritage of the site, unlocking Hounslow's history in an affordable, sustainable new community.

"Our planning brief sets out the restoration of historic listed buildings, quality new homes, including for social rent and shared ownership, a large public park, sustainable travel, and community use of the site.

"It's another example of us delivering on our pledges."