Peter Hain has come under pressure to protect the identity of historic Welsh army regiments.

Under plans previously announced by the government, an army shake-up will see the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Wales merged to form the Welsh Regiment.

But there was cross-party support in the Commons for calls to preserve the names and identity of the regiments.

Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd said the Wales secretary should do more to protect the regiments' names.

"It is an important issues. It is very, very important in terms of recruitment," he said.

"There are honourable regiments that go back many, many decades and we do need to keep them."

And he also warned of a potential adverse impact on recruitment should the changes go forward.

Labour MP Albert Owen also said there was a "strong feeling" about the decision.

And he said that service personnel should be consulted about the changes.

The rethink call was also supported by shadow Wales secretary Bill Wiggin and Labour backbencher Gareth Thomas.

Responding to the pressure, Hain said the decision to rename was taken by the executive committee of the Army Board.

"I am sympathetic to the questions raised in many quarters and suggest that honourable members write to the executive committee with their concern," he suggested.

Hain added that the whole restructuring had "actually been quire positive for Wales".

There had been no cuts in the number of battalions or soldiers, and the new regiments would maintain local identities.