North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell this week added his support to a parliamentary motion by shadow defence minister Liam Fox calling on the Government to reverse its decision to freeze funding.

The move follows last week's shock announcement that all TA training will be scrapped for the next six months in a bid to save the Ministry of Defence around £20 million.

The units affected include the 71 Engineer Regiment at RAF Leuchars and the C Squadron Yeomanry based in Cupar, both in Sir Menzies' constituency.

Sir Menzies said: "Pressure must be maintained on the Government to reverse its short-sighted decision to freeze TA funding if long-term damage to Britain's military capabilities is to be avoided.

"For the thousands of volunteers, including many from north east Fife, who sacrifice so much to be part of the Territorial Army, the message from the Government is clear: money before morale.

"Without regular opportunities to train and maintain their skills, the number of TA volunteers will inevitably drop.

"The effect on the regular army, which is so well served by the support of the Territorial Army, can only be detrimental."

Meanwhile the Tories' prospective parliamentary candidate for North East Fife, Miles Briggs, described the cut in the training budget as 'unforgivable.'

"It's crazy that a Government which was willing to waste £12 billion on a pointless VAT cut won't spend £20 million on making sure that the Territorial Army is kept ready and prepared," he said.

"The Government needs to think again and reverse its decision immediately."