AS the fight to save the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR) continues, one of its troops has received an award for service during the Iraq conflict.

Captain James Thornton-Wakefield was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his role in maintaining civil infrastructure in Basra city following the allied invasion.

The 28-year-old was part of a team responsible for the formation of Basra fire brigade, establishing a local council, getting hospitals up and running, and looking after essential water and electricity supplies.

Lieutenant Colonel John Downham, regimental secretary to the QLR, said this is why the regiment, which has its headquarters at Fulwood Barracks, Preston, should retain its identity.

He said: "I was absolutely delighted to hear he had been given this honour.

"He has done a lot of hard work out in Basra by helping the civil situation and restoring as much of the city as he could.

"Hopefully Geoff Hoon will recognise what good soldiers we have and this honour will help our campaign to save the Queen's Lancashire Regiment which has such a rich history.

"The campaign is going really well and I've visited places all over Lancashire and everyone has been really supportive."

It is feared proposals made by Mr Hoon, defence secretary, could include the merger of the QLR, currently based in Cyprus, with those to the north and south.

A decision is expected to be made in November.

Sergeant Major Jonathan Waite, of the first battalion of the Light Infantry, from Preston, has also been Mentioned in Dispatch, for his work in the treacherous rural areas in Iraq.

He is currently based in Germany.

AS the fight to save Lancashire's most prestigious army regiment continues, one soldier from the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR) has received an award for service during the Iraq conflict.

Captain James Thornton Wakefield received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his role in maintaining civil infrastructure in Basra city following the allied invasion.

The 28-year-old was part of a team responsible for the formation of Basra fire brigade, establishing a local council, getting hospitals up and running and looking after essential water and electricity supplies.

Lieutenant Colonel John Downham, regimental secretary to the QLR, said this is why the regiment, which has its headquarters at Fulwood Barracks, Preston, should retain its identity.

He said: "I was absolutely delighted to hear he had been given this honour.

"He has done a lot of hard work out in Basra by helping the civil situation and restoring as much of the city as he could.

"Hopefully Geoff Hoon will recognise what good soldiers we have and this honour will help our campaign to save the Queen's Lancashire Regiment which has such a rich history.

"The campaign is going really well and I've visited places all over Lancashire and everyone has been really supportive."

It is feared proposals made by Mr Hoon, defence secretary, could include the merger of the QLR, currently based in Cyprus, with those to the north and south.

A decision is expected to be made in November.

Sergeant Major Jonathan Waite, of the first battalion of the Light Infantry, from Preston, has also been Mentioned in Dispatch, for his work in the treacherous rural areas in Iraq.

He is currently based in Germany.