FOOTBALL legend Sir Tom Finney has come out in support of the campaign, backed by the Citizen, to save the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR) from a merger.

Earlier this year the Ministry of Defence announced its intentions to modernise the structure of armed forces, which could include a plan to merge the QLR with other regiments.

A campaign and petition were launched to save the regiment, which has its headquarters at Fulwood Barracks, in Preston.

Campaigners believe that merging the regiment would erode the unit's identity and could spell problems for morale.

Former PNE and England player, Sir Tom, who fought in the Second World War, is supporting the campaign because he believes it is vital to keep the Queen's Lancashire Regiment in its current form.

"I was in the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers from 1942 to 1946 and served in Egypt and Italy," he said.

"I think it is very important to keep the regiment in Lancashire, so yes I am supporting the campaign.

"I just think it is so sad that a regiment of such an age, and of such importance to the people of Lancashire could be got rid of."

The regiment is now indicating that it may not be able to resist change from Whitehall, and is making suggestions for the shape of modernisation.

A formal decision is expected from the Ministry of Defence in November.