The regiment has won awards for its efforts in the Balkans

There are fears the King's Own Royal Border Regiment could be merged or disbanded as part of defence cutbacks.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says a final decision will be made at the end of the year.

A campaign has been launched to safeguard the regiment's future and now Cumbria County Council has written to Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.

Proud association

The letter follows a meeting by the council which unanimously passed a motion in support of the regiment.

Council chairman Jim Webster is seeking firm assurances from Mr Hoon that it will continue as a separate regiment.

He wrote: "The county of Cumbria has a proud association with KORBR and the county council believes it is very important to retain this sense of local identity.

"The regiment is the only army presence in the area and provides a focus for the community.

"The possibility that it will disappear has evoked strong feelings in our community.

"Civic leaders and the local media have joined together to make a compelling case for retaining our local regiment."

The regiment has twice won the Wilkinson Sword of Peace for service in the Balkans and in Northern Ireland.