THE Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment has its highest troop numbers in six years, according to figures which it is claimed blow apart one of the main reasons for it being axed.

The regiment now has 600 soldiers 50 more than in 1999.

During the last 12 months, the regiment gained 80 new recruits. On average it recruited 70 fresh soldiers a year since 1999.

The total strength of the RGBW when specialist troops from other units seconded to the regiment are included is 710 the highest in six years.

The statistics were slipped out yesterday by MOD minister Ivor Caplin in a written answer to MPs.

The Army's Executive Board, which recommended the infantry shake-up in December, has said the changes were needed to give the army greater flexibility.

Central to the review were claims of poor recruitment and retention among the army's 19 single battalion regiments.

Following their report, defence secretary Geoff Hoon said the RGBW will be disbanded.

But Tory MPs say the figures prove the RGBW known as the M4s after the motorway through their heartland should have escaped the axe.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said: "The RGBW are one of the best recruiting of all the regiments in the Army.

"This exposes the changes for what they are Treasury cuts. The notion that this is about recruiting is a lie, it is about Gordon Brown's army cuts.

"The RGBW go to the shopping centre in Swindon and tell people what they do and try to get people interested. They do a great job. After this plan there will be no Wiltshire regiment left only in a museum."