Soldiers have been banned from Greggs the baker in a bid to raise standards, it has been revealed.

Troops from the Royal Dragoon Guards based in Catterick Garrison have been warned they risk making the regiment “look unprofessional” and that “under no circumstances” should they “stand outside Greggs eating a pasty”.

A document about dress and discipline circulated around the unit in North Yorkshire said soldiers should also refrain from smoking cigarettes in uniform or texting on mobile phones whilst walking down the street.

Non-commissioned officers, the backbone of discipline and standards in the Army, have been urged to enforce the edict. In the note seen by The Mail on Sunday, the middle-ranking troops have been told they “need to have the fibre and moral courage to police this and be all over those who make the Royal Dragoon Guards look unprofessional”.

However, some soldiers have vowed to carry on enjoying the banned snacks.

“If I have to go for my pasty in disguise, so be it,” said one. “It is ridiculous for commanders to suggest that somehow we bring the regiment into disrepute because we stand outside Greggs eating pasties.

“We’re not all fatties either and it’s not like the food dished up at the Army canteen is any healthier than what we get at Greggs – and Greggs is cheaper.