AN Army sergeant from north Durham who has recruited nearly 70 youngsters has said farewell to her hometown to take another step in her military career.

Staff Sergeant Angela Kelly, from Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, has been a recruiter at the Durham Army Careers Information office for the past two years.

She is moving on to be an instructor with the Adjutant General's Corps Training Group, in Winchester.

In her time at the Durham Army Careers Office, Sgt Kelly has been the face of a number of the Army's local recruitment campaigns, helping the office to attract an increasing number of teenage girls into the Army.

Sgt Kelly, 30, said: "It's been a little embarrassing having my face plastered across bus stops and such over the years, but I think it's been worth it.

"Not all recruitment offices have a female presence, so it can often be difficult to attract young girls into the office.

"Having me at Durham for the past two years has really helped to give young girls in the area someone to relate to and, as a result, we have started to see an increase in the number of young women enlisting in Durham."

Sgt Kelly enlisted at Durham Army Careers office 14 years ago after leaving school at 16.