THE Citizen has thrown its weight behind the official campaign to save the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), which has its headquarters here, in Preston.

A petition slamming the Government's proposals to merge infantry units like the QLR, based at Fulwood Barracks, Watling Street Road, with other infantry units in the region has been put together by the unit's top brass.

The petition attacks the concept as "ill-conceived" and claims Lancashire's only county regiment will be "irrevocably damaged". It continues: "We demand that the Government keeps its hands off our local regiments, and the QLR in particular, and abandons this foolish plan which gambles recklessly with the backbone of Britain's security."

On Monday, The Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Charles Shuttleworth, will be one of the first to put his name on the petition as the regiment officially launches its most scathing attack on the Whitehall plans to date. Local MPs and councillors have also backed the campaign.

Lieutenant Colonel John Downham said: "The important thing for us is having a solution which retains the vital Lancashire identity of the regiment.

"The people of Preston have always been most supportive and we've got to get the petition kick started.

"We're really pleased the Citizen has come on board because it is a community newspaper who have shown great support in the past and this is an excellent way of doing more."

Have your say. Get down to the Citizen office in Chapel Street, near Winckley Square, Preston, to sign the petition that could save your regiment.