TWO teenage sisters have made history by becoming probably the first in the country to join the Army together.

Emma Willis, 17, and 16-year-old Andrea, from Billy Row, near Crook, County Durham, enlisted for their new careers yesterday at Bishop Auckland's Army Careers Information Office.

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Robinson said: "We have not heard of anything similar in the UK, but could not say for certain whether they are the first nationally.''

For the girls, it marked the start of what they expect to be exciting careers. Both say they have not been put off by the recent atrocities in America.

Andrea said: "It has made me want to join more. It means I am going to be doing something worthwhile.''

Both attended Wolsingham Comprehensive School and it was Andrea, who left this summer with 11 GCSEs, who always had the ambition to join the armed forces.

She will travel to Bassingbourne, in Dorset, to do her basic training before moving on to train as a vehicle mechanic with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Emma decided that the Army would offer the training and travel opportunities she needed and is excited about becoming a driver and radio operator in the Royal Logistics Corps.

She is due to begin her training in Pirbright, Surrey.

Parents Paul and Mary Willis say they are very proud of their daughters, who have always been extremely close.

Warrant Officer Tony Masters, senior recruiter at Bishop Auckland, said: "Emma and Andrea have exciting careers ahead of them, and I'm sure they will do extremely well.''

l An Army spokeswoman said yesterday said that there had been no rush to join up in the wake of the attacks on America.

"It will be some time before any hard figures are compiled to indicate current recruiting trends," she said.