ANGRY Dudley MP Ian Austin has vowed to fight government proposals to disband a Black Country-based army regiment.

The MP has written to Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond urging him to scrap plans which could split up the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Terriritorial Army (TA) regiment to allow for the creation of a Scottish Yeomanry.

The regiment, which has a base in Vicar Street, Dudley, has only recently been embarking on a successful recruitment drive and Mr Austin said: “It makes no sense to scrap a popular and expanding regiment with deep roots in the local community, especially as the TA is due to double in size over the next few years”.

The shock move comes only a year after the regiment was granted the freedom of the borough of Dudley when more than 100 soldiers paraded through the streets.

The regiment, which has a history dating back to 1794, would lose around 100 soldiers in the Midlands if the plan goes ahead.

At present, the regiment is made up of four squadrons, with the Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire soldiers based in Vicar Street.

Mr Austin has already tabled a series of parliamentary questions seeking assurances about the future of Vicar Street.

He added: “I have worked very closely with members of the TA in Dudley together with their families and supporters for many years and I will fight this proposal all the way”.