Lancashire's Fulwood Barracks to close in major army shake up

Two army sites in the North West are on a list of 56 being closed down.

Preston will no longer be home to British troops when the Grade II Fulwood Barracks closes in six years time.

Some of the troops stationed at Fulwood – those from the 42 north west brigade – are to be relocated to Weeton in Blackpool.

And Chester's Dale Army camp is also closing.

The Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said closures will include eight sites in Scotland and three in Wales and three in Northern Ireland. Sir Michael says the estate is too big and costly to run and would pave the way for a more modern military.

The plans are part of the Government's Defence Review that aims to cut thousands of civilian posts under huge budget cuts.

The Public and Commercial Services union said the cuts will severely hit the support available to armed forces and will further damage morale.

The union will oppose closures and job losses, adding that the MoD should learn from previous mistakes if it sells off land for housing.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We are opposed to these closure plans that throw the future into doubt for thousands of staff.