IT was a moment when military history was made, heralded by light, fire and music.

The event was the birth of the new Yorkshire Regiment, in the dramatic setting of York's Clifford's Tower.

As soldiers stood in ranks around the tower, the image of the regiment's newly-designed cap badge, bearing the county's White Rose, a lion rampant, the cross of St George and a Yorkshire scroll, was beamed onto its walls.

Fireworks burst into the sky from within the tower, and a military band played in the Eye of York below.

But amid the celebrations, there was also a touch of sadness, for the event marked the end of centuries of tradition, with formerly independent regiments set to amalgamate to form the new unit.

Yesterday's ceremony was attended by 400 soldiers from the three regiments that will make up the new formation - the Prince of Wales's Own, the Green Howards, and the Duke of Wellington's. The territorial East & West Riding Regiment will also join them.

General Sir Richard Dannatt, Commander-in-Chief Land and a former Green Howard, told the Evening Press the changes would create a "larger and more robust structure", at one of the most challenging periods the Army had ever faced in peacetime.

But he said the traditions of the existing regiments would be carried forward into the new one.

"My feeling is a little bit of sadness, reflecting back on the wonderful traditions and history, but a feeling of great excitement about the new regiment and structure we are putting in place."

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Germaine, commander of the 1st Battalion, the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment (1PWO), said the three-battalion regiment would be a more efficient and effective unit for the post-Cold War world, with units that could be deployed much more quickly, wherever they were needed.

He said: "It's a positive thing for Yorkshire, and the Yorkshire Regiment will express everything that is good about the county - pride, determination and grit - and we hope the people of Yorkshire will take us to their hearts."

He also revealed the new regimental headquarters would be in York, at the site of the present PWO regimental museum in Tower Street.

The new regiment, which will be officially formed on June 6 next year, will have about 2,000 members in three regular battalions based on the existing regiments, which equates to more than eight per cent of the Army's infantry strength, and one territorial battalion.

It will be the only regiment based on just one county and bearing its name, following the massive Army shake-up which did away with single-battalion regiments.

The Army hopes would-be soldiers from Yorkshire will identify with the new name.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, December 07, 2005