HUNDREDS of North-East soldiers are celebrating after hearing that they will be moving back to the North in 2007.

The soldiers, from The Green Howards battalion, are to be based in Weeton, near Blackpool, as part of an Army shake-up.

It has come as welcome news to most of the soldiers, who are recruited from across Teesside, North Yorkshire and County Durham.

They had hoped to be moved from their base in Chepstow, on the South Wales-England border, back to Catterick, as it was the closest base to home.

However, a move to Lancashire means the trip back home to see family and friends will be a lot easier - and comes as a bit of good news, after the battalion was told it was to be merged with two others to form a Yorkshire Regiment next year.

Major Chris Harrison, of The Green Howards, said: "Most of the lads were very happy with the news as it gets us closer to home. It is just over the Pennines.

"There are few who are disappointed. Weeton is a win in terms of how the blokes see it."

Before the move was announced, rumours were circulating that the battalion was to be moved to Cyprus, which would have been largely unpopular.

The move will probably take place in August 2007, when the battalion will have been based near Chepstow for about four years. They will stay in Weeton for between two and four years.

In December last year, The Green Howards were told they were to be merged with The Duke of Wellington's Regi-ment, from Halifax, and The Prince of Wales' Own Regiment, from York, to form a Yorkshire Regiment.