Last night's TV news broadcasts all picked up on the story - and the front pages of today's heavyweight national newspapers have followed suit.

Dozens of you left comments on yesterday's story on-line, many more emailed, texted and phoned the ET newsroom - and 86per cent of readers who took part in our on-line vote BACKED the right of the service men and women to wear their uniforms.

Now Defence Secretary Des Browne and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have intervened.

Speaking from 10 Downing Street, Mr Brown said: "All our armed forces should be able to, and encouraged to, wear their uniform in public and have the respect and gratitude of the British people for the huge commitment to public service they show.

"I encourage the local police to back up our armed forces so that not only can our armed forces wear their uniforms in public, but they should have the gratitude of the British public for the work they do."

Today, we ask YOU to support our WEAR IT WITH PRIDE campaign.

Leave a comment below and add your name or fill in a simple form to show your support.

Special Report: RAF uniform row, March 2008 - www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/wearitwithpride.


HERE are some more of your comments:

I am very concerned with this story that servicemen should not wear uniforms while out. That is probably the worst bit of news for those of us that paid a very high price for the freedom of our Country.
Many tens of thousands of my friends fought for our way of life, our society, the green and pleasant land, and the freedom we enjoy.
That the freedom we held so dear, should be in any way be endangered? is something we cannot allow. Too many men fought and died for that freedom.
That our service men should be advised, not to wear uniforms, strikes at the very heart of all that we hold dear.
Our way of life. Our Society. Freedom of speech. It is all that I, and many other young men in uniform..... paid a very high price for.
Brian Guy.
Normandy Veteran
Eighth Brigade
Third British Infantry Division.
(Monty's Ironsides)

I was absolutely appalled when I heard this shocking news. I serve in Her Majestys Royal Air Force and have carried out Operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq. I thought the fear of wearing uniform in public had been erased with the peace collaborations with the IRA, yet we have a new threat, one of which lives in this country. Whats next? the police, firemen etc not wearing uniform.
My policy remains the same, when in Rome do as the Romans do, ie if they don't like it then they can always leave.
SGT IAN K TOMLINSON

What a sad turnout for Peterborough ! Those servicemen and women in your area should be encuraged to wear their uniforms when walking in town and if needed carry the same weapons that they do on active service ! And any locals who disagree with this should have a heavy hand or two slapped down on them. And if the trouble makers are not British citizens , send them back where they came from.
D . Holmes Norwich.

Sir, As an ex-serviceman who did three years in the Army I'm disgusted that our own lads cannot walk in your town without insults being shouted at them. They should realise that every insult to those lads and lasses is an insult to all of us who wore a uniform with pride. I'm afraid I couldn't stand by and listen to these ignorant sods without giving them a mouthful back.
Trev. Lomas

The Peterborough Mayor should invite RAF Wittering to exercise their right as Freeman of the City to march through the City tomorrow afternoon with Flags flying, the band playing and with Fixed bayonets. I'm sure the real residents of Peterborough would show their support and the dissenters would have a chance to voice their objections, if they had the courage to show themselves.
Robert Nugent, Stuart Smith, Trevor Smith


I live on the Isle of Skye but I would just like to add my voice and say that I am horrified that any citizens would go and abuse service personnel who have volunteered to serve our people and government and obey their orders right or wrong. If anyone disagrees with British foreign policy their MP or the ballot box is the place to complain. However I suspect that the sort of people who do this sort of despicable thing are also the type who don't vote.
Brian Smith

The British people are the most democratic and freedom loving in the western world.
I am a service veteran from Ireland and discrimination is not the British way of existing among others.
Recently we veterans were decorated by the King and people of Malaysia for the part we played in the defence of their freedom. The Malaysians are a Moslem Nation and the whole population showed their gratitude, for coming to their assistance in the their hour of need.
Thank you the people of Malaysia. I have had the honour of serving along side our mates from the Caribbean, Nepal, Figi, India both Hindu's, Sikh's and Malaysians, and I can say with absolute assurence, Race, Colour or Creed never entered the equation, (of course all called me Paddy) that was an honour to me.
The British have fought for the freedom of all peoples and nations, they are democratic lovers. Therefore I find it dishonourable that today the are unable to wear the uniform of the Queen in public without being threatened or insulted. In my view it is an act of treason, because Britain is a tolerent people (ask anyone Irish). People have that freedom to live in a democratic country, they also have the freedom to leave and reside where they wish. Regarding our service personnel who defend our freedom, Rudyard Kipling once wrote,"Its Tommy this and Tommy that and Tommy out the brute, but its Tommy please come in when the guns begin to shoot"
Need I say more.
JP McColgan.


the armed services should be able to wear their uniform with pride they represent our country and all english people should be proud of them things like this seem to be happening to often our country always backs other countrys and sticks up for them who is there to stick up for us
ANON

The people of Peterborough should hang their heads in shame at their treatment of the local military personel.
Shame on you.
Frank Oxley