PROUD veterans from the Worcestershire Regiment joined hundreds of former soldiers on a march at the weekend, in protest at Government plans to modernise the Army.

They took part in an hour-long march through central London with people from across the country opposed to the scrapping or amalgamation of a number of regiments. Saturday's demonstration was followed by a rally in Trafalgar Square.

Under the plans, the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters is to amalgamate with the Staffordshire and Cheshire regiments. If the plans go ahead, the Woofers will be known as the 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Worcestershire and Foresters).

But veterans say that will be the beginning of the end for the regiment, and that before long its long history and its badge will be consigned to history.

"The march went really well," said Sgt Maj Peter Wiltshire, aged 61, who served with the Worcestershire Regiment from 1958 to 1983.

"There were about 30 of us who went down on the bus and we met up with each other there.

"We can't see why the names have to be changed or why we have to lose our cap badges."

The majority of the protesters came from Scotland. They are opposed to six battalions being cut to five, which will then form a single "super regiment" called the Royal Regiment of Scotland.