DEFENCE Secretary Geoff Hoon was due to set out details of wide-ranging and controversial changes to the structure of the British Army today.

And it could spell the end for the 300-year-old Duke of Wellington's Regiment, which has historic links with Huddersfield.

In a statement to MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon, Mr Hoon was expected to confirm plans to cut the number of infantry battalions from 40 to 36.

The plans merge historic regiments into large regional units.

His announcement will almost certainly be greeted with fury in Scotland.

Supporters of famous regiments like the Black Watch - just back from Iraq - have conducted a vociferous six-month campaign to save them.

The final decision on which regiments will go and which face merger has been made in consultation with the Army Board.

Hundreds of people have campaigned to save the Dukes, which recruits much of its strength from Huddersfield and Halifax.