Colchester Garrison's future secured

The future of Colchester Garrison appears to be secure after it was named one of the seven major army sites in the UK.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that all those based there at the moment will be staying for the foreseeable future.

But there are changes afoot elsewhere - with some new faces coming to Cottesmore in Rutland, while major units will be leaving Swanton Morley in Norfolk and Honington in Suffolk.

Matthew Hudson reports...

Colchester Garrison will remain as one of the seven major army sites in the UK.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that all those units and regiments based in the Essex town at the moment will be staying for the foreseeable future.

A shake-up of army bases to accommodate a speeded-up return of all troops from Germany will mean the disposal of seven sites across the country.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the changes would save £240 million a year in running costs as soldiers are moved into "clusters" in key locations.

Returning forces will mainly be stationed around Colchester, Salisbury Plain, Edinburgh and Leuchars, Catterick, Aldershot, Stafford and the East Midlands.

Around 11,000 British troops based in Germany will return home by 2016.