THE Army is launching an advertising campaign in the region to attract recruits - despite recent announcements about cutbacks in the Armed Forces.

Lieutenant Colonel John May, recruiting commander for the North-East and Yorkshire , said: "I think the public believes the Army is cutting back and not recruiting, which isn't the case.

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

The campaign is targeted at those who left school or college this summer, and pupils who have sat GCSEs and are expecting their results next Thursday.

The £100,000, four-week campaign will highlight bursaries available for school leavers and college students.

Lt Col May said vocational bursaries of £1,500 a year are offered for 15 and 16-year-olds who want to go on to study a vocational qualification at college, such as nursing or languages.

"We want to make sure young people know the Army needs young men and women to work in everything from engineering and IT to logistics."