CHEERLEADERS from Miami welcomed wounded army veterans into Hereford High Town and performed at the Shirehall.

The Walking With The Wounded Tour of Britain arrived in the county last Thursday, setting off from Leominster at 9am, before arriving at Hereford High Town at 4pm.

The core team of four British wounded and two US wounded veterans were welcomed by cheerleaders and former players from the Miami Dolphins, as the National Football league (American football) sponsored that part of the route.

The cheerleaders then performed at the fundraising dinner in the evening at the Shirehall, held by The Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire and the chairman of Herefordshire Council, which raised around £15,000 towards the Walking with the Wounded, a charity backed by Prince Harry.

Deputy lieutenant Patrick Darling said: "It was terrific- the most super evening. All the cheerleaders came and performed- much to everyone's delight.

"The wounded were spread around the various tables. They said they were delighted with the warm welcome they had received from Hereford and Herefordshire. They loved the family feeling they felt in The Shirehall and being welcomed into the county."

The cheerleaders had come to Britain to perform at the Miami Dolphins game against the New York Jets at Wembley Stadium on October 4.

Major Darling added: "To have the cheerleaders in Hereford High Town and at the dinner- it is something that will never happen again."

He thanked the Street Foundation, The Great British Florist and Tanners Wines for sponsoring the dinner.

Residents from Leominster gave the team, who are Stewart Hill, Matt Fisher, Alec Robotham, Scott Ransley, Kirstie Ennis and Andrew Bement, a good send-off at 9am, before they walked to Whitecross School, where they were met by the Duke of Kent, who is the Queen's cousin.

Headteacher Tim Knapp said: “It was a wonderful occasion when the whole school joined together to help celebrate this very worthy cause.

"We were absolutely delighted to hear that His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent would be meeting the team here and spend some time at school. It will certainly be a day to remember for everyone involved.”

The Duke was met by Mr Knapp and Lewis Rogers, chair of governors, and was also accompanied by Lady Darnley.

The Whitecross CCF platoon was presented to the Duke, who then had a tour of the Whitecross replica First World War trench, recently built by staff and students.

The following morning the team set off from Hereford Cathedral and were blessed by the Bishop of Hereford.

The team is walking 1,000 miles across mainland Britain, after starting in Scotland on August 22 and they are finishing at Buckingham Palace on November 1. The day before the team arrived in Herefordshire they were joined by Prince Harry who walked with them in Shropshire.

To sponsor them go to http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/walkofbritain2015.