Taunton Deane MP Jeremy Browne has welcomed the protection of 40 Commando Royal Marines in the Defence Review.

The Marines, based at Norton Manor camp, may see a small reduction in backroom staff but frontline personnel will not be effected.

Mr Browne said: "The outstanding contribution made by the Royal Marines to Britain's defence has been recognised in the Defence Review.

"40 Commando have shown remarkable bravery and professionalism in Afghanistan. Their mobility and expertise makes them an integral part of the country's defence and I am very pleased that there will be no reduction in their operational numbers.

"Taunton's residents are rightly proud of their local Marines and I look forward to paying tribute at their home coming parade next month."

Mr Browne has also secured personal reassurances from Defence Ministers that the Taunton-based UK Hydrographic Office will not be sold off as part of wider savings in the Ministry of Defence.

He added: "The Hydrographic Office is a world renowned institution.

"Its reciprocal agreements with nations across the global make its Taunton-based office a key provider of international expertise in cartography.

"I have held meetings with the Defence Minister to put the case for the UKHO and have been reassured that the MOD have no plans to sell it off.

"The reduction in civil servant numbers across the Ministry of Defence and wider government will impact on the UKHO but the Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, has also written to me to confirm that this will be managed as far as possible in ways that ensure redundancies are kept to an absolute minimum."