A 300-YEAR-OLD military tradition will be upheld today despite concerns that it may have fallen casualty to the recent war in Iraq.

But the unbroken link with the past will be maintained after Interflora stepped in to ensure 700 red roses will be delivered to soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers.

With duties taking the unit to Al Amhara, north of Basra, the soldiers, who are based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, feared the annual presentation would be cancelled because of their obscure desert location and extreme conditions.

However, Interflora yesterday confirmed that it will honour the order for 700 red roses, sending them across the border from Kuwait and on the long journey north to Al Amhara, complete with armed escort.

A single red rose has been presented to every soldier serving with with the battalion to mark its bravery against the French at the Battle of Minden in 1759.

It was there the unit won a famous victory, despite being heavily outnumbered. The annual gesture is made on the anniversary of the battle.

The tradition remained unbroken, even through the Boer War, both World Wars, Korea and when the regiment served as far afield as Borneo and Malaya.

If the regiment is on active duty, the commanding officer's wife is normally spared the usual duty of presenting the flowers.

However, Major Frances Castle is also serving in Iraq at 19 Mechanised Brigade's headquarters and she will make the journey north from Basra to join her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Castle, in time for today's ceremony.

Major Gavin Lenthall, who is in command of the regiment's rear party, which has remained at Catterick, said: "The forces are kept very well supplied with necessities, such as water, and this was not an operational priority. However, it is when we consider the moral component of regimental pride.''

Interflora's Philip Carey said: "I have no doubt the conditions the soldiers are serving in will be some of the toughest they have experienced, so we are determined to give them some relief.

"They are conducting an extremely difficult peace-keeping mission and we just hope our efforts help boost morale."