Imagine the protest if the Treasury proposed that the region's most famous building, dating back over 300 years, should be demolished and replaced with new technology.

I suspect the outcry would be so deafening that even Gordon Brown would hear it deep in the bowels of 11 Downing Street.

Well, one of this region's proudest assets is facing the axe and I fear if no-one starts shouting about it then a noble 316-year history will abruptly come to an end.

I speak of The Green Howards - as much a part of our heritage as Roseberry Topping and the railways.

The latest round of spending cuts means the Army must lose four of its 40 infantry battalions and the Green Howards are being tipped for the axe.

First raised in 1688, the Regiment was dubbed the Green Howards in 1744 and, over the centuries, has established close ties with Teesside and North Yorkshire. So much so that 85 per cent of men now serving with the regiment come from the area.

The regiment's battle honours read like a chronology of British military history and include the only Victoria Cross awarded on D-Day.

And that noble history continues today with the regiment having just completed peacekeeping duties in Afghanistan.

With both my head and my heart, I oppose sending the Green Howards off into the sunset.

The Army's resources are clearly stretched. We know this because the MoD's target for intervals between overseas tours of duty is two years but, in reality, troops get just seven months respite.

Additionally, is the world now really such a safe place that we can afford to cut our defences in this way?

I also think we still owe a great deal to those from the regiment who made the ultimate sacrifice. Throwing the famous name of the Green Howards onto the military scrapheap is not only highly disrespectful to them but also demonstrates an arrogant disregard for an important part of this region's heritage.

I wonder if those who will decide where the axe falls have any concept of the affinity and warmth this region has for the Green Howards.

Several towns have awarded the regiment the status of Honorary Freeman and welcome it parading through the streets "bayonets fixed, colours flying and drums beating'' as it did in Middlesbrough last month.

Soldiers, of course, must remain loyal no matter how crass the actions of the Government of the day. It's their job and that is why senior officers within the regiment are unable to go into battle publicly to save the Green Howards.

But there are no such restraints on elected Mayors, so I urge everyone to write to your local council, MPs, the Government and anyone else you think might listen. Let them know of this area's support for the regiment.

If the Green Howards cannot be saved then the very least that should happen is that they be amalgamated with two other regiments - the Duke of Wellington's and Prince of Wales - into one "Yorkshire Regiment", thus maintaining the strong links with this area.

The Green Howards have fought for us on numerous occasions in the past - now is the time for us to fight for them.