THE amalgamation of three Army regiments came a step closer last night with the unveiling of the unit's new cap badge.

About 400 soldiers watched as an image of the new Yorkshire Regiment badge was beamed on to Clifford's Tower, in York.

The unit will be made up of 2,000 soldiers from The Green Howards, the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment and the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.

The regiment will be formed next June and will use the nickname the "Yorkshire Warriors".

Soldiers will continue to be recruited from Teesside and Yorkshire, the areas covered by the three regiments.

Yorkshire Regiment spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mark Lodge said: "The newly formed regiment will enable us to meet the changing operational challenges of today's modern Army, while making sure we can meet the aspirations and needs of our soldiers.

"The Yorkshire Regiment will offer employment in the light, armoured and air assault infantry roles, on regular or reserve terms of service, at locations at home and all over the world."

The new badge features a rampant lion holding a flag, a white rose and a scroll with Yorkshire written across it.

The regiment will contain four battalions - three regular and one territorial, with detachments from the Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force.

The decision to amalgamate the regiments was announced by the Government last year, despite widespread objections.

Members of The Green Howards, based in Richmond, and recruits in North Yorkshire and Teesside, launched a campaign against the amalgamation.

However, a spokesman said last night they were looking forward to working under the new cap badge.

He said: "The Green Howards have served under the Yorkshire Regiment name and under the white rose before in the regiment's 318-year history, and we shall continue to recruit men from North Yorkshire and Teesside, so we shall not lose our identify with the area."