The UUC's Colr. Leslie Cubitt said his motion would honour the many soldiers from the town who "lay their lives on the line".

However, SDLP Colr. Michael Coyle said while his party was aware of the dangers facing soldiers, he said they "found it difficult to endorse such a proposal".

Referring to the thousands of lives lost in the wars, Sinn Fein Colr. Paddy Butcher said: "Our view is not sectarian. We cannot support something that glorifies the outrageous tragedy that has unravelled and, probably destabilised that region for years to come.
"We cannot support it."

Ulster Unionist Colr. Edwin Stevenson said soldiers are not asked if war is right or wrong.
"They just go," he said. "They show courage."

He added: "If you've got a problem with the war don't take it out on the soldier who is just doing his job."

Sinn Fein Mayor Brenda Chivers said the money being spent on the war should be going towards medical treatment instead.

"Money is being wasted on a war that doesn't belong to us," she said.

The other unionist councillors supported the idea of a reception, but when it went to the vote the motion was defeated with seven nationalist councillors voting against the six votes in favour.