Two regional newspapers are campaigning to save local Army regiments after defence secretary Geoff Hoon's announcement that 20,000 armed forces jobs are to be axed.

The News & Star in Carlisle is asking readers to sign a petition to save the King's Own Royal Border Regiment, which could be cut or amalgamated.

The regiment has proposed a loose union with other regiments as opposed to a merger in a bid to keep its historic name and traditions alive.

Reporter Alice Ross said: "There is a strong feeling about this in Cumbria. People have a strong sense of identity here and this is the only base and regiment for the armed forces in the whole of the county.

"If the headquarters is lost from Cumbria there is a worry that the armed forces will struggle to recruit from the county."

Alice said that the regiment, which has been recruiting from Cumbria for more than 300 years, had undergone one merger - in 1959 - whereas some neighbouring regiments in Lancashire and Yorkshire have never been merged.

She said: "We have taken up the fight to save it and there has been a good response from readers writing in with comments and especially phoning the paper to order petitions."

The Dundee Courier is also battling to save an local regiment.

The Perth-based Black Watch regiment which could face a similar fate to the KORBR.

The paper has gained the support of local politicians and has received an "overwhelming" response from people across the country in support of the campaign.

Reporter Dave Lord said: "The campaign was started because the regiment is so important to the local area. It's synonymous with the area and means a lot to a lot of people.

"We've had a massive response from people who have had family members in the regiment and elderly people who have perhaps lost family in the world wars.

"We're asking people to get in touch, give us their opinions and hopefully we'll give it a higher profile. The local politicians have been in touch so hopefully it will get discussed in Parliament."

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