Army top brass today offered a glimmer of hope to campaigners battling to save York's army HQ.

In a pledge to the Evening Press, the army said the "great majority" of troops currently based at Imphal Barracks would remain, even if it loses its status as the divisional HQ.

And should York lose out to Edinburgh in the fight to be the home of a new merged headquarters, the army promised to try to move new defence jobs to York to fill the space.

But the city's MP Hugh Bayley, who is spearheading the campaign to save York's army HQ, was sceptical today about the extent of the army's commitment.

He said: "When the army moved 250 staff from York to Glasgow they said they would look for alternative jobs. They have not replaced them so it is hard to believe they are serious about replacing the Second Division headquarters jobs - which is why they should stay in York which has higher unemployment that Edinburgh."

The army's latest pledges come in response to nearly 700 coupons signed by Evening Press readers urging the Government not to end York's years of military tradition.

In a written reply to a letter from Evening Press editor Liz Page, the army's deputy command secretary for commander-in-chief, John Tesh, said no decisions had yet been taken on the proposals to merge the York-based 2nd Division with the Edinburgh-based Scottish Division. The new division's HQ could be in York or the Scottish capital.

Mr Tesh said that, should the merger go ahead and should its headquarters be in Edinburgh, "this would not by any means mean the end of the army's presence in York".

He said: "The great majority of troops based at Imphal Barracks would remain there. The Signals Regiment would stay, as would the headquarters of 15 Brigade, which commands units throughout the North East of England. Like all such brigades, this will be given an enhanced role in any reorganisation."

He added: "Should any personnel be moved from York as a result of the proposals being considered, we shall look for opportunities to move new defence jobs to York to fill the space vacated."

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