DISAPPOINTED soldiers from Worcestershire's regiment who were hoping to see action in Iraq have been told they will have to stay in London to guard the Queen.

Members of the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, known as the Woofers, were due to be called out to the war-torn country earlier this month.

However their deployment has been cancelled at short notice, although the regiment's secretary Major Bob Prophet said he was unsure of the reason for the decision.

The 1st Bn moved down to Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, west London, to assume the role of public duties battalion, which includes guarding the Tower of London, St James' Palace and Windsor Castle, last August.

But Maj Prophet said they had been told that as part of their two-year-posting they would be going overseas to take part in operations and were due to go to Iraq earlier this month.

He added: "I honestly don't know what the battalion itself feels but I imagine they're quite disappointed they're not going to Iraq.

"As far as the experience of the soldiers is concerned, it's a great shame they're not going but at the same time they've got their job to do.

"They've only recently moved to London and are doing their job there extremely well and I'm sure they're proud of themselves."

Members of the 1st Bn had carried out reconnaissance in the Basra area before Christmas with a view to providing additional support for British forces.

In addition to its other duties in London, it is believed the regiment is also on standby there to assist the emergency services in the event of a crisis, such as a terrorist attack.

The 1st Battalion Scots Guard is expected to be sent out to Iraq in its place.

The news comes as the Worcestershire regiment faces an uncertain future under restructuring plans, which will see the Army lose four infantry battalions by 2007.