FAMILIES of loved ones who died at Deepcut and other Army barracks have welcomed news that an independent watchdog could be established to crack down on bullying and protect young recruits.

According to newspaper reports, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is studying plans to appoint an ombudsman for the Army.

The father of 17-year-old Private Geoff Gray, from Seaham, County Durham, who died of gunshot wounds while on guard duty at Surrey's Deepcut Barracks in 2001, last night hailed the plans as a step forward.

Mr Gray, also called Geoff, said: "In Canada they have an ombudsman for the armed forces and it's a brilliant idea. It will bring the British Army up to modern standards.

"It's totally independent from the Army, so if there is any need of an investigation, there is a body there to do that, rather than the Army's own investigators.

"Also if there are changes made within the Army, the independent ombudsman could go in and oversee that and make unannounced visits afterwards to make sure those changes are being adhered to."

Lynn Farr, whose son, Daniel, died at Catterick Barracks, in North Yorkshire, in 1997, said an independent watchdog was needed. "Other public services have independent watchdogs, the police and health, and so should the Army."

Mr Gray is among four families of soldiers who died at Deepcut between 1995 and 2002, who are demanding an independent investigation into the deaths.

Mr Hoon has been reported to have privately ruled this out, but Mr Gray said if this was the case they would take the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to court.

"I think he is afraid that if there is a public inquiry it will open an even bigger can of worms," he said.

"If they do not have a public inquiry then I will take them to court. I signed my son over to the Army and they didn't look after him, they failed in their duty of care."

An MoD spokesman said it was still looking at what steps to take following the Surrey Police reports into the Deepcut deaths.