Britain plans further cut in North troops

BRITISH troop levels in the North are being cut again because of the improving security situation, it was announced yesterday.

Two infantry battalions under the command of the GOC Northern Ireland are being reassigned to other duties as they are no longer required to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Ministry of Defence said.

Three Royal Navy Hunter Class patrol vessels - HMS Brecon, HMS Cottismore and HMS Dulverton - which have been on duty along the Northern coast for the past six years, will also be withdrawn by April 2007.