I'M pleased to hear that our hard-working MP Hilton Dawson is off for some peace and recuperation in lovely Wasdale. He works hard for his constituency and I think he deserves it.

But while he's there, will he spare a thought for some of his constituency in conditions far from green and pleasant? Supporting your county and country in Parliament is tough - in Basra or similar, it is a lot tougher.

Being a member of a regiment with a proud history helps keep up a soldier's spirits. Knowing that their regiments are looking out for them as individuals, as far as pos-sible, is reassuring. Knowing that the regiment is supporting their families back home helps too.

The Lancashire regi-ments have always been family regiments, with close connections to the pride of their own streets and cities, and a reputation for fine soldiering that ought to be the pride of the British Army.

Yet these soldiers don't know whether their regiment will still be there in a few weeks time. Tony Blair wants to wipe most of the British Army regimental system away. He thinks the way the Americans run things is more efficient.

What does our MP think about the plans to lose these traditional family' units into some big, faceless American-style force'? I hope he will be able to spare a moment of his holiday to let the soldiers of Lancashire know.

Anne Sweeney, Lancaster.