The regiment has won awards for its efforts in the Balkans

The King's Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR) may yet be merged with other regiments in England and Scotland.

A campaign has been launched in an effort to persuade government ministers not to disband the regiment.

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

The regiment was named with several others in November 2003 as facing cuts or disbandment under government cutbacks.

Among those campaigning to retain the regiment is Carlisle's Labour MP Eric Martlew.

Support for the campaign has also been won from local authorities in the regiment's Cumbria and Lancashire recruiting area.

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

It has served in every major conflict since 1680.