Soldiers whose regiment is facing the axe are to fight to maintain its historic name.

High-ranking staff in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment 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. "But we want to maintain what we can of the title and traditions of the Duke of Wellington's regiment," said Major Bob Heron.

"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.

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

The recommendation came as the regiment, which recruits in Keighley and Bradford, celebrated the sacrifices Dukes soldiers made fighting at Anzio, Italy, in the summer of 1944.

Veterans have just returned from Italy, where a memorial plaque has been erected in the port.

Their actions helped liberate Rome, where the Dukes lead the liberation parade.

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

A 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 was attracting names from as far away as Australia, she added.