MERGER plans for the Queen's Lancashire Regiment have been blasted by the areas it could be serving with.

One of the proposals to merge 19 battalions into seven could see the Preston-based QLR, the Liverpool-based Kings Regiment and the King's Own Royal Regiment (KORR) based in Cumbria become a single Lancashire and Borders Regiment.

Forcing the Lancashire regiment to join with others would mean the loss of an exclusively Lancashire fighting force for the first time since 1689.

But the other areas are just as keen to hold on to their pride.The KORR, has also launched a campaign to stop plans which would destroy a 300-year-strong history.

Major Michael Brandwood said: "It is important to our soldiers just as much as the QLR to keep our identity in the overall picture.

"If the powers that be have any concern with local feeling then there is no reason at all why we cannot remain hopeful."

Commenting on the morale of the soldiers from the two regiments if they were merged, he said: "British soldiers are resilient. It is not what they would want but it is a case of having to cope."

South Lakes MP Tim Collins is backing the campaign. He said: "The KORR has served this country with bravery and distinction. Its battle honours span the centuries.

"It would be folly in the extreme for the Government to scrap regiments at a time when our armed forces are stretched."

Visitors to the King's Own Border regimental museum at Carlisle castle have also shown their support with an increase of visitors coming to sign the petition. Curator Stuart Eastwood said: "I am worried an amalgamation could take away part of the regiment's identity."

The Liverpool Kings Regiment, another proposed merger option has taken an alternative stance.

Col Martin Amlot said: "We are worried about the future because we are proud of our name and we look to the future with concern. We want the best for our regiment.

"We also look forward with an open mind because what is formed may be better than what we currently have." Col Amlot said the Liverpool regiment had no campaign but would act if action needed to be taken.