Army chiefs are set to decide on changes to the infantry which many believe will lead the merger of Scottish regiments.

The Army Board committee are investigating how to improve efficiency and are thought to want to reduce the infantry from 40 to 36 battalions.

Defence secretary Geoff Hoon and Tony Blair, who will make the final decision, have insisted the proposals are a matter for the army and that the restructuring is necessary to make the service a more effective force.

However opposition politicians have tried to make the government directly responsible for abolishing historic regiments with close community ties.

The committee's findings are expected to be announced next week.

The Future Army Structure reorganisation began last July and is expected to affect the Black Watch, the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, the Royal Scots, the Royal Highland Fusiliers and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment could also be merged with the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment.