YOUNG people in Bishop Auckland are being encouraged to choose a career in the Army.

The Armed Forces has launched an intensive campaign in the town, aimed at those youngsters who have just left school and will be collect their GCSE results on Thursday.

Commander Regional Recruiting for the North East and Yorkshire, Lieutenant Colonel John May, said: "I think the general public believe that the Army is cutting back and therefore not recruiting, which just isn't the case.

"We have 11,000 vacancies this year and next that we need to fill, and we are looking for good quality recruits now.

"I think a lot of young people haven't planned ahead and now some are left wondering what the future holds.''

The recruiting drive will feature local soldier Jason Mackey, who will appear on posters for Bishop Auckland's recruitment office and will run for four weeks in August and September.

Lt Col May said: "Not many people know that we offer Army vocational bursaries of £1,500 a year for 15 and 16-year-olds who want to go on to study a vocational qualification like nursing or languages at college.

"This can make a real difference to parents who now have to pay fees and support their child through courses.''

For more information about the campaign or about the Army, telephone the Army Careers Office in Bishop Auckland on (01388) 604 110, or at www.army.mod.uk.