THE name of the Devon and Dorsets is set to disappear in 2007 after army chiefs approved the title of a new regiment.

The historic Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry will merge with three other famous regiments to form a new super regiment called the Rifles.

General Sir Mike Jackson, chief of the General Staff, and the Executive Committee of the Army board approved the name.

Details of the Rifles' creation have been revealed in a memo from Lt General Robin Brims, Colonel of The Light Infantry, in a letter to soldiers. The Devon and Dorsets will merge with the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry to create the new force.

Lt General Brims said: "Our inspiration will be the Light Division.

"We aspire to the values of independent thought, action and leadership forwarded by General Sir John Moore: self discipline, fortitude and steadiness of heart. We want to be known for our fighting spirit and strong sense of decency. We want to be at the forefront of military thinking."

General Sir John Moore died in 1809 while fighting Napoleon's France in the 1809 war after a distinguished career which included the American War of Independence and battles against the French.

The name of the Rifles has links back to the Peninsular Wars of 1808 when the 95th of Foot, known as the Rifle Regiment, fired the opening shots of the campaign. Soldiers also fought at Waterloo, in the Crimea and in the Indian Mutiny.

Lt General Brims said: "I believe this decision is both exciting and sad. All regiments have given up elements we hold dear. The title Light Infantry, proudly earned and determinedly, loyally upheld is a case in point. We shall not forget it, nor those who for generations have represented it."

The regiment will adopt the name providing it is given Royal Assent. The new cap badge will be the Light Infantry's bugle.

The regiment will not have colours - flags depicting famous battles. Instead, battle honours will be celebrated by a Maltese Cross inscribed with famous battles in each corner.