A territorial army company has won its battle to stay as a unit, but part-time soldiers will have to fight to stay in uniform.

Keighley's 50-strong unit is being slashed by 20 from next April as part of the nationwide streamlining of the service.

It is to become part of a new North East infantry battalion with its headquarters in Pontefract and companies in Keighley and Huddersfield.

The axe has fallen on Halifax drill hall which, with Keighley, was part of B Company - the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

At present there are about 230 TA soldiers serving in Huddersfield, Halifax and Keighley but the new arrangements will offer places for only 100.

"It is good for Keighley because it has been saved, but it will be tougher for people to get a place. People will only keep their places on merit," said Captain John Wallace.

"The new jobs will be much more exciting because Keighley has been chosen to be a specialist support platoon. Exactly what that entails we are not sure about yet but it will be more challenging.''

Cpt Wallace, ex-regular army, is facing losing his administrative job in the shake up.

He stressed that no TA places were guaranteed and everybody would have to compete to keep their jobs.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the streamlining of the service would bring greater opportunities for the men and women because it was being fully integrated into the regular services.

In the northern area there would be two new infantry battalions - North East Battalion No1 based on Yorkshire and Humberside and North East Battalion No2 based on Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, Durham and Cleveland.

"The TA is to play a central role in supporting and sustaining the Army's deployable order of battle. To achieve this, emphasis is being placed on ensuring the TA is well equipped, trained and resourced.''

A total of 87 TA centres, 25 per cent of the existing 455 around the country, face closure. Strength will be cut by 12,800 to 41,200.

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