AN exhibition honouring the bravery of the Winchester-based Royal Green Jackets will start in the city this week.

The display focuses on the 59 Victoria Crosses the regiment's soldiers have been awarded during its history and comes just months before the regiment is due to be disbanded.

From early 2007 the Royal Green Jackets will merge with The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, The Light Infantry and the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry to form a new regiment known as The Rifles.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for valour given by the Queen, and this year marks the 150th year since the award was initiated by Queen Victoria.

The exhibition, profits from which will go to the RGJ Museum in Winchester, charts the history of the medals given to regimental members, and the acts of bravery for which they were awarded.

The exhibition, at the Peninsula Barracks, runs from this Friday through to Monday, August 28, with tickets costing £2.