FIVE young people from the Bishop Auckland area have taken their first steps towards a military career.

They were among 50 recruits from Durham and Teesside who enlisted recently. Major Mike Sherlock, head of recruitment for the area, presented them with attestation oaths of allegiance certificates.

Kirsty Wilks, from Crook, is joining as a chef.

She said: "I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"The travel, sporting and career opportunities that I can do now will be a great experience for me."

Warrant Officer Tony Masters, senior recruiter at the Bishop Auckland Army Careers Information office, said: "Every year, at around this time, hundreds of youngsters join the Army as a result of being unsatisfied by a civilian job or college course that they have started straight after leaving school.

"With new recruits being paid £219 per week, they will be given more training in the Army than they would on any other apprenticeship or training scheme, and for these young people in Bishop Auckland that has proved to be an interesting prospect."

The Army recruitment office can be contacted on (01388) 604110 or by visiting the www.army.mod.uk website.