Bradford's 140-year-old Army connection may be severed next year as Belle Vue Barracks has been earmarked for closure.

Funding for the Territorial Army centre on Manningham Lane, could cease in March under the Government's sweeping Strategic Defence Review.

The move could mean the loss of 10 jobs and it threatens the future of the Royal Engineers Army Cadet Force. But now Bradford Council's top brass have mobilised in bid to save the centre from closure.

"The TA has a long history in Bradford, having been originally raised here in 1859 and its home at Belle Vue has stood on the same site since 1861. It represents a continuous and treasured period of service to Bradford of almost 140 years and we do not want to lose this close link," said the Lord Mayor, Coun Tony Miller

A member of the unit, who asked not to be named, said the civilian and army personal were against the closure.

"Obviously we are against the closure. It is the strongest unit for miles around. It just doesn't make sense to close it," he said.

There are 140 TA personnel at the Manningham Lane Barracks, plus 13 full time administrative staff.

Three of these are regular Army and will be transferred, but the reminder will probably be made redundant if the Ministry of Defence decides to confirm its proposals in a decision expected next month. The Lord Mayor, who along with Council leader, Coun Ian Greenwood, will be protesting in writing to the ministry, said he feared for the future of the cadet force - "should the barracks close, an important link between the ethnic minorities community and the Regular Army will be lost".

"If we are to encourage better recruiting from out large ethnic community into the regular army then the retention of the TA centre is of paramount importance."

Fear of an invasion from France prompted the foundation of the barracks in 1859 under the command of Captain Samuel Cunliffe Lister, later Lord Masham. The purpose built drill hall was completed two years later.

On October 30, 1979, a fire broke out and almost destroyed the 118-year-old building . The new TA centre opened on the site in 1983. The unit enjoys the Freedom of the City of Bradford, conferred in the months following the end of the Second World War.

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