A historic Pudsey company's role in the production of kilts for Scottish soldiers is under threat.

Weaver AW Hainsworth's involvement in obtaining quality tartan for military kilts is in jeopardy after the Ministry of Defence vowed to put the process out to tender.

The MoD said the contract to weave tartan for the new Royal Regiment of Scotland must be offered to the open market to ensure value for money.

A W Hainsworth procures tartans from Scotland-based weaver Robert Noble on behalf of the MoD and sends it to another Scots company for kilt-making.

But the Stanningley firm, which has produced cloth for the military since Napoleonic times, fears quality would suffer if the contracts for weaving and procuring the tartan for 5,000 kilts went oversees.

Roger Hainsworth, woollen director at A W Hainsworth, said: "The MoD has chosen a new tartan for the Scots regiment and it's likely that the contract for the whole kilt will go to tender.

"My concern is that the Ministry will change the while process. We play a vital role in ensuring the military receives the very best quality, but that would not necessary be assured if another procurement route was chosen."

Mr Hainsworth said it would be embarrassing for the army if the standard of the kilts was compromised by a poor quality tartan.

Roland Brett, of Peebles-based Robert Noble, said they had produced military tartan since 1850. He said they had given the MoD value for money for 30 years.

An MoD spokesman said: "A small purchase of kilts has already been made in order to meet some early parade requirements for the Royal Regiment of Scotland and will be followed by the remainder of 5,000 kilts required in due course. The choice of cloth was made following very careful consideration by the Scottish Division, as the military customer, over the last 12 months.

"Procurement will now be carried out as required under public procurement regulations, which are applicable under United Kingdom and European Union law, and companies who can meet the regiments requirement whilst demonstrating best value for money for the UK taxpayer are encouraged to apply."