AN EAST Lancashire celebrity whose father fought with the Accrington Pals today threw his weight behind our campaign to save the county's last remaining regiment.

Comedian Jim Bowen said a review which could see the Queen's Lancashire Regiment lose the county's name or see it incorporated with other areas was "crazy."

He spoke out as the community and supporters of the regiment began to back the Evening Telegraph campaign in their droves.

Jim, who was brought to Clayton-le-Moors at just nine months old after being adopted by Joe and Annie Whittaker, said the regiment was unique because it allowed Lancashire lads to serve together.

And he added: "I think that if I was in a tight corner I'd rather be fighting next to someone

from Lancashire than another part of the country."

Jim was stirred into action when he heard about Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon's plans, which could see the QLR re-named and re-shaped.

The Accrington Pals, made up of local men and almost wiped out on Flanders' fields in World War One, is one of the many local regiments which were amalgamated to form the QLR.

Joe Whittaker, along with thousands of others from Lancashire, was quick to answer Lord Kitchener's rallying call and signed up in 1914 aged only 17.

He said: "My father served alongside Lancashire lads and I am sure he would want to see that tradition continue.

"He didn't talk about the war much. Not a lot of people who came home really did. I think they were a bit embarrassed about the fact that they managed to survive. These plans are crazy. I think the MoD needs to sit down and have a long hard think before making a decision which will hurt local people and bring to an end a regiment with a wonderful tradition."

Evening Telegraph editor Kevin Young, said: "Already we have had fantastically positive feedback from the people of East Lancashire to this campaign, which is obviously close to everyone's hearts."

Col David Black, a member of the QLR's campaigning committee, said: "We have already received several calls from old soldiers in East Lancashire saying how pleased they are with the campaign.

"They believe East Lancashire is the heart of the community and are genuinely happy that the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, as a local newspaper, is involved."

The Evening Telegraph campaign is urging Mr Hoon to preserve the regiment's Lancashire identity when his review is completed in November.

The camaraderie created by having men with a shared identity and background fighting alongside each other made the Pals units a more effective fighting force.

It's a camaraderie that still exists. The soldiers of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment may be recruited from all four corners of the county but they all share a common bond.

And it's a bond the regiment does not want to see jeopardised by having the county name removed from any new unit.

Jim added: "People still like to identify with their roots. If the QLR had to merge with another battalion and it no longer had strong Lancashire identity, that could lead to a loss of bonding.

"It's wonderful to see the Evening Telegraph get behind the QLR. I know the regiment has a lot of connections in East Lancashire and people are concerned about the Government's plans."