BURY MP David Chaytor has told defence ministers there is a special case for saving the town's territorial army base. He said that pulling out of its current headquarters -- the Castle Armoury -- would jeopardise an exciting development of the building into a major tourist attraction. Speaking in a defence debate last night, the Labour back bencher joined Tories in criticising plans to cut back the part time volunteer reserve force.

He said that in Bury, there was 'C' Company of the 4th Battalion of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment which consists of 100 men and women.

He said it had strong connections with the former Lancashire Fusiliers and that if proposals to close the unit took place, it would end a 100 year link between the town and the regiment which had a distinguished history including fighting in most of the major battles of this century and the last.

Bury North back bencher Mr Chaytor said: "I would fight strongly to retain that link and the present TA unit in Bury.

"The TA in Bury is strongly linked to wider community activities.

"There are two particular reasons for wanting to make special case for my TA unit.

"Although it is only one of 55 units in the North West, within the Queen's Lancashire Regiment area the TA unit in Bury is responsible to 25pc of recruitment. Its recruitment record is outstanding.

"The location of the TA is crucial. The TA in Bury meets in the drill hall, which is called the Castle Armoury.

"The Castle Armoury is an important listed building which is over 100 years old.

"I believe that the Castle Armoury is unique in that it is not owned by the Ministry of Defence.

"It is owned by a board of trustees which is bound to manage the buidling on behalf of the people of Bury. If the MoD revenue funds were pulled out, it would be in dire straits.

"The Castle Armoury is a subject of an exciting development plan that would involve moving the current fusiliers regimental museum from its present inadequate headquarters into the Castle Armoury.

"It is located in the centre of the town which makes it strategically important in developing the attraction of the museum for local schools and visitors."

Mr Chaytor said he hoped that the defence minister would carefully examine the impact the proposal would have and save the Bury headquarters and unit.

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