High-ranking officers have joined forces with ex-soldiers in the fight to maintain the historic name of their regiment which is facing the axe.

Officers in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment -- named after the Iron Duke who beat Napoleon -- want the name to be included in a new regimental title.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon plans to merge the regiment with two other Yorkshire regiments -- the Prince of Wales and Green Howards -- to form a super battalion.

In response, the Dukes, who are being consulted, are recommending the formation of a new Yorkshire regiment.

Major Bob Heron said: "We want to maintain what we can of the title and traditions of the Duke of Wellington's regiment.

"If we become the third battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, we want the title 3rd Duke of Wellington's in brackets.

"We want a presence in some way in the title. We want to retain as much as possible of the traditions and the recruitment area," he said.

That could include retaining some of the regalia and badges.

A recommendation on those lines was submitted this week to the Colonel Commandant of the Kings Division, but ultimately the decision will be made by the Executive Committee of the Army Board.

The recommendation comes as the regiment, which recruits in Keighley and Bradford, celebrates the sacrifices made by Dukes soldiers who fought at Anzio, Italy, in the summer of 1944. Veterans have just returned from Italy, where a special memorial plaque has been erected in the port.

Their actions helped drive back the Germans and liberate Rome, where the Dukes led the liberation parade.

The regiment suffered more losses in the campaign than any other regiment.

Keighley brother and sister Mary Lister and Michael Thompson are spearheading a campaign to save the regiment.

Mrs Lister said: "If the regiment is merged we have to accept it, but this fight now is about not letting it happen at all."

They had launched a petition which is attracting names from as far away as Australia, she added.

The campaigns are being backed by Charles Dent, managing director of Timothy Taylor brewery in Keighley, who is honorary colonel of the Ypres Company (East & West Riding Regiment), which is responsible for the Duke's TA detachment in Keighley. They also have the support of Worth Valley Tory Councillor Kris Hopkins, who served in the regiment between 1985 and 1989.