I FIND recent remarks by Pendle MP Gordon Prentice, very unhelpful at this delicate time in the history of the North West's THREE infantry regiments.

I highlight the word 'three' because MPs in southern and eastern Lancashire seem to forget that the merger affects all three famous regiments.

It is also inaccurate to suggest that the Lancashire element of the new regiment accounts for 90 per cent of soldiers that will form the new regiment.

General Dannet, Colonel Commandant of the King's Division which covers the whole of the North of England has stated that although the division will have two large regiments (the two battalion King's Lancashire and Border Regiment west of Pennines and the three-battalion Yorkshire Regiment east of Pennines) all five battalions will cross-post personnel between them to give a greater chance of career choice.

It is possible that many soldiers from west of Pennines could find themselves serving in the Yorkshire Regiment!

Also, Mr Prentice's comment about the new title being 'a mouthful' is silly and ill-thought. I am a soldier from East Lancashire serving in the King's Own Royal Border Regiment, a name that is certainly not considered a mouthful.

Elements within the Queen's Lancashire Regiment are manipulating, and to a degree mis-informing the media.

Not all the regimental colonels agreed that the new regiment should be called the Royal Lancashire Regiment as some would have you believe. Two names were tabled and a unanimous decision could not be met, so the decision was handed over to the Army Board.

It should be obvious to anyone with any sense of fair play that the King's Lancashire and Border Regiment would be the obvious choice.

I find the conduct of those within the QLR despicable and this bickering should cease.

If it does not, the already painful decision to merge our regiments will become even more painful as decisions over cap-badges and emblems are made.

The other regiments have unique traditions and heritages, which should not be lost in favour of QLR.

Both the KORBR and King's Regiment are senior to the QLR with longer histories and more to lose.

It would be a travesty if those within the QLR got their own way at the expense of another two fine regiments.

A Soldier, 1st Bn The King's Own Royal Border Regiment.