The Commander of the elite Nato force that has started arriving in the county has paid tribute to the "welcoming" character of Gloucestershire.

Lieutenant General Sir Richard Shirreff cycled over with a team of 13 from Joint Head Quarters Rheindahlen, arriving in Innsworth on Wednesday.

He was joined on the last leg by Pete Bungard, chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council, and George Dowty, director of Innsworth Technology Park.

On arrival General Sir Richard said that Imjin Barracks was "going to be really good" for the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, which he heads.

He said: "We're well aware Gloucestershire has a proud military heritage. We have been made to feel very welcome here. This has been illustrated by Pete Bungard cycling with us on day one, then joining us for the final leg in the county. Everybody we've been dealing with has been helpful and welcoming. This is a fitting home base from which the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) can deploy all over the world."

With some 25 per cent of ARRC already in Gloucester, General Sir Richard said that the next two months would see the whole of ARRC move.

It is expected that the corps will be fully operational in its new home by August 16th. He paid tribute to Gloucestershire, saying many were astonished by its beauty and were pleased to arrive in the area.

"We think it's a great area," he said."The Cotswolds and Gloucestershire are one of the most beautiful parts of England, and we're pleased to be here.

"There were four nationalities on this cycle ride. Cycling through the beautiful countryside of England, our multinational members have been amazed by the lovely scenery we've gone through."

The move will see Gloucester's population swell by 2,000 people – with 40 per cent of the staff non-British. Families are expected from 15 different nations serving Nato.

These include the USA, Canada, Turkey, The Netherlands, Norway and Denmark.

As well as making the county more multi-cultural, the move is set to bring up to £15 million more to businesses within the county.