The protest campaign against regiment cuts is being stepped up

The UK Government announced in July that one Scottish and three English infantry regiments would be disbanded.

But Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames has vowed no infantry regiment would be lost.

The promise was welcomed by the only Scottish Tory MP, Peter Duncan, who is campaigning against the cuts.

Mr Soames, speaking ahead of his party's conference in Bournemouth, pledged that a Conservative government would spend �2.7bn more on defence than Labour.

Mr Duncan - who said he would deliver a petition signed by 20,000 protesters to Downing Street - said this move would mean reversing plans to axe one of Scotland's six infantry regiments and merge the remainder.

Campaigners have won the support of Conservatives

He insisted: "A Conservative government will reverse any Scottish regiment cuts made by Geoff Hoon, Brown and Blair. We will reinstate six distinct Scottish regiments.

"Across Scotland, I have met with passionate campaigners who are fighting to save our regiments, not just because of the history and tradition but because of the practical and vital role that Scots have played in the defence of the United Kingdom and in peacekeeping around the world."

The threat to the regiments is part of cutbacks and restructuring of the armed forces.

It sparked outcry from some soldiers, who claim the plan would destroy long-standing local links that have boosted recruitment and formed bonds of loyalty over many years in many parts of Scotland.