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Cheered on by thrilled crowds, 250 proud Navy sailors march through the streets in a military parade as they are given a prestigious honour.

The HMS Edinburgh crew were led by a brass band and drums to rapturous applause, but their celebrations were scuppered hours later when they were kicked out of a pub – for wearing their best dress uniforms.

They had just been given the Freedom of the City in the Scottish capital to mark the decommissioning of their warship when they were turned away by staff.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “It is disappointing, having just received the Freedom of the City – which is the reason they were in their dress uniform – that they would be refused service simply because they were wearing uniform.

“I was so pleased the people of Edinburgh had given them such a warm welcome during the parade and it is very unfortunate they had the negative of being refused service.”

The servicemen and women had just finished their march, from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the City Chambers, and decided to celebrate at the Ensign Ewart pub, which was named after Battle of Waterloo hero Charles Ewart.

(Image: Getty)

But they were turned away when staff claimed it was illegal to serve people who were dressed in full uniform.

The pub had a sign up saying “sorry, no uniforms” and a spokeswoman said: “We work within the confines of licensing law.”

A Royal Navy spokeswoman insisted the crew were not breaking any rules.

She said normally they would not be allowed to go out and drink wearing their uniforms, but they had been given special approval because of the parade.

City of Edinburgh Council officials also insisted there were no licensing laws banning people in military uniform.

The 30-year-old HMS Edinburgh warship is on a farewell journey around the UK and will enter its home port of ­Portsmouth for the final time on May 31.

The Ministry of Defence put the ship – nicknamed The Fortress of the Sea – and another Type 42 destroyer, HMS York, up for sale as part of the Government’s controversial Strategic Defence Review.

* How our sister website the Daily Record is reporting the story.