Scotland is set to lose one of its six surviving infantries, a senior Conservative MP has warned.

Homeland security spokesman Patrick Mercer claimed to have seen a leaked government white paper which includes plans to axe five battalions across the UK.

"If the army looks at sustainability then clearly all of the Scottish regiments are deeply, deeply threatened," he told BBC Scotland.

"For instance, the Highlanders recognise they are 15 under-strength when in reality they are more than 100 under-strength because they are made up with so many Gurkhas."

The Highlanders, the result of a merger of the Gordons and the Queen's Own Highlanders in 1994, are thought to be favourite for the chop.

The Newark MP and former officer warned that the army was already at "breaking point".

"I think that manpower is going to lose while more expensive equipment is bought," he said.

The Ministry of Defence declined to comment, saying the white paper was still under development.