RECRUITS hoping to join one of the world's most famous Army regiments are set to appear in a new documentary.

Young soldiers training for a career with the Parachute Regiment at the Infantry Training Centre, in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, have been filmed by a crew from a new television channel, Forces TV.

The channel is working on a documentary entitled, The Maroon Machine: The Making of a Para, which looks at the rigorous 28-week training course that new recruits are put through.

On Tuesday, the recruits were recorded completing the Stretcher race - a five-mile run carrying a 79kg metal stretcher between four people.

The race is one of eight tests the trainees have to complete at 21 weeks of training to pass on to the next stage.

Those that pass all tests are allowed to wear the coveted maroon beret and cap badge for the first time.

Forces TV producer and director Paul Condon said: "They often say that the selection process for the Parachute Regiment is one of the toughest courses in the British Army. It really does their fitness and mental robustness.

"We have followed a group of recruits as they go through that training. I think it will be interesting an entertaining for civilians as well as those with a military background."

Forces TV is available on Sky, Virgin and Freesat.

The first episode of the documentary is due to be screened later this year. For more details visit http://www.forces.tv