Campaigners fighting to save York's army headquarters have gone on the Internet as they prepare for "D-Day".

Union leaders at Imphal Barracks believe the Government may make a vital announcement on the future of the 2nd Division HQ later this week.

Now, in a last-ditch bid to rally support against closure, they have launched an Internet website giving details of their arguments.

The Government is proposing to reduce the number of divisions under UK Land Command from six to three. The 2nd Division, based at Imphal Barracks in York, is expected to be merged with the Scottish District and it is widely believed that the Army has proposed the merged HQ should be based in Edinburgh.That decision would cost York more than 200 jobs, as well as severing a long-standing military tradition for the city.

York MP Hugh Bayley, who has been campaigning for the new HQ to be based in York instead, said that the website would help generate even more support for the campaign.

"I have had hundreds of letters from regimental associations and ex-servicemen who are up in arms at the idea of moving the York headquarters to Edinburgh, and also a petition saying the same signed by dozens of Lord Mayors and Mayors in the north of England," he said.

"The website will generate more letters because the military links and traditions in northern England run very deep."

Ian MacLaren, spokesman for the union which represents civilian staff at the base, said he had heard unsubstantiated rumours that the announcement on the future of the barracks would be made later this week, before the House of Commons annual defence debate takes place on October 19 and 20.

Mr Bayley said he had been told by Ministers that the announcement would be made either just before or just after the debate.

Mr MacLaren also stressed the importance of the website. "This is the first time the Internet has been used to rally support for a trade union campaign to save jobs, but it is not just jobs that are at stake. It may seem politically correct to move the headquarters to Edinburgh in a Scottish election year, but it would cost the taxpayer £40 million extra and do nothing to improve the country's defence."

The website address is; members.aol.com/SaveYork/Armyhq.html

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