A BRIGADE flag has been lowered in preparation for one of the biggest military troop movements for more than 40 years.

The black panther emblem of 19 Light Brigade was taken down at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, earlier today to mark the brigade's farewell to the British Army's largest base after 14 years.

The brigade is moving to Northern Ireland and will be replaced at Catterick by the 4th Mechanized Brigade - known as the Black Rats - who will leave their current home of 27 years in Osnabruck, Germany, over the coming weeks.

The moves will increase the number of soldiers at Catterick Garrison by about 600 to more than 9,000. In September, the Challenger main battle tank will return to the garrison after a break of several years.

More than £330m has been spent improving the garrison in time for the move.

Brigadier Tim Radford, Commander of the outgoing 19 Light Brigade, said: "Throughout our time here we have been made to feel extremely welcome within the community and have regarded Yorkshire as home during successful operational deployments to the Balkans and, on two occasions, to Iraq - the most recent finishing last summer.

"The standard of facilities within the garrison has improved dramatically over that period and I am confident that the soldiers and families of 4 Mechanized Brigade, who return to Catterick from Germany this month, will be made to feel just as welcome and enjoy a very good quality of life."

Brigadier Julian Free, Commander of the incoming brigade, said: "Whilst the brigade is sad to be leaving Osnabrück Garrison, where we have forged close links with the local community and made many friends, we are excited to be moving to Catterick.

"Catterick is close to the hearts of 4 Mechanized Brigade regiments and battalions, as it lies close to their traditional recruiting areas. As such, for many soldiers, the move to Catterick will genuinely feel like coming home."

Units due to arrive are Headquarters and 204 Signal Squadron, Royal Dragoon Guards, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, 21 Engineer Regiment, 4 Regiment Royal Artillery and 1st Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.