THERE is a slight but only very slim chance that the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment might be saved from extinction, it emerged this week.

The three counties regiment is one of those under threat as a result of continuing defence cuts and plans to downsize the Army.

Last July Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced that the RGBW would be merged with another regiment or even scrapped altogether.

It's part of a defence review that includes a radical shake up of the traditional regimental system. Under the controversial plan all regiments would have at least two battalions.

This would mean all single battalion regiments like the RGBW ceasing to exist in their current form and being merged in groups of two and three.

This week the RGBW regiment was thrown a lifeline as it emerged that Government may reconsider its decision to axe it.

There has been a huge outcry over the proposal to do away with three of the great names from military history.

The original regiments of all three counties had their own battle honours which the merged RGBW regiment has proudly displayed.

In the face of the pleas from many regimental veterans, including the regiment's former colonel, it's believed that Mr Hoon is considering a U-turn.

At a meeting between Mr Hoon and Major General Robin Grist the defence secretary admitted he was not happy with some elements of the review.

Mr Hoon revealed it was still being debated at the highest level and that he was willing to reconsider the options but only if recommended by the Army Board. It has been reported that Mr Hoon has suggested that those opposing the axing of the RGBW should meet with top army officer General Sir Michael Jackson.

However North Wiltshire MP James Gray said that while some people took the view there was a glimmer of light for the RGBW he did not believe there would be a reprieve. Mr Gray said: "All along Geoff Hoon has said he is acting on the advice of the Army Board, and I think he is just covering his back."

One suggestion put forward this week was that the RGBW should merge with the Devon and Dorset Regiment but to continue as regiment in name and retaining its identity.

Brigadier Simon Firth, deputy colonel of the RGBW, said: "It would be wonderful news if that was the case."

Former mayor of Marlborough and Kennet District Council chairman Tony Gray started his National Service with the Wiltshire Regiment and was in it at the time of its merger to become the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment. Mr Gray said the original proposal to scrap the RGBW was another example "of Wiltshire being the forgotten county".