A CONTROVERSIAL barracks where a North-East soldier was shot dead could be closed, it was revealed last night.

Geoff Gray, 17, formerly of Seaham, County Durham, was found with two gun shot wounds to the head at Deepcut Barracks in Surrey last year.

The Ministry of Defence has announced that the barracks is one of eight sites earmarked by military chiefs for possible closure as part of a major shake-up of training.

Detectives are investigating the deaths of Private Gray and three other soldiers.

They were all found with gunshot wounds at Deepcut, the headquarters of the Royal Logistics Corps.

The Army initially insisted the deaths, between 1995 and earlier this year, were suicides - a claim disputed by the victims' families.

They are demanding a public inquiry into allegations that a culture of bullying has been covered up.

Deepcut has been included in list of those that might lose out in an MoD review aimed at "rationalising" training - including the possibility of involving the private sector.

Armed forces minister Adam Ingram said yesterday that "significant savings" could be made, but no firm decisions had been taken.

Last night, an MOD spokeswoman said the possible closure of Deepcut had nothing to do with the recent events.