Last year the council voted unanimously to confer the authority's highest honour on the RIR but the regimental diary dictated that an event could not take place until late this year.

The announcement comes as several other councils in Northern Ireland explore the possibility of staging homecoming parades for soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Larne Council has not declared an interest in staging a homecoming parade although the RIR freedom ceremony - the details of which are still being worked out - may coincide with other events.

The event, the council said, will mark the loyal services of soldiers from Ulster and sacrifices made in all theatres of conflict. It means the RIR, on any ceremonial occasion, have the "right, privilege and distinction" of marching through the streets of the borough with colours flying, bayonets fixed and drums beating.

Mayor of Larne, Bobby McKee, said that the details of the event are still being worked out. "We are liasing with the officers of the regiment on our plans to mark this honour and a great deal of careful planning is taking place to ensure a successful event."

Colonel of the regiment, Lt Gen (retired) Sir Philip Trousdell KBE CB, said that all RIR members are deeply honoured. Sir Phillip, who began his career in 1968, commanded the multinational NATO force in Bosnia and was Commandant of Sandhurst. Before he retired he served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) in Northern Ireland.

"The borough council's gracious invitation is an enormous morale boost to those men and women currently in Afghanistan where it helps immensely to show that the huge sacrifices being made are appreciated as they strive to bring peace to a troubled region which so rightly deserves a safe and secure environment," said Sir Phillip.

He added: "I know how much this has been talked about in Afghanistan where the soldiers are doing such sterling work in helping to train and prepare the local Afghan National Army for a much larger role in providing their own security in the future.

"I have been hearing through the grapevine how much the soldiers are looking forward to the ceremony and parade which is on the calendar very shortly after they return from Helmand Province."

A council spokeswoman said that Larne Borough has very strong connections with the RIR and the armed forces. "There are many families in the borough who have friends and relatives serving in all three armed forces including the RAF and Royal Navy," she said.

The regiment has been on tour in Afghanistan since March. The Army has made it clear that other serving units, including the Irish Guards and Territorial Army personnel, will be honoured too.

An RIR service is scheduled for the beginning of November in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast and it is thought events in other towns could take place on dates either side of the main service.