A RESERVE squadron based at RAF Leeming is the country's first to recruit a civil servant to its ranks under a government-led initiative

HM Revenue and Customs worker Jacqueline Lee has joined the 607 County of Durham Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, as part of the Civil Service 1% Challenge, which aims to attract about 4,500 civil servants into the Reserve Forces.

The scheme was announced by Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond in 2014 to help the fill a gap in Armed Forces numbers caused by sacking thousands of full-time troops.

Mrs Lee has joined the squadron after attending events to learn about military life and the role of reservists.

She said: “The Civil Service 1% challenge event for me was amazing. It gave me the nudge to go ahead and go for it.

"It also made me feel that I needed to spread the word to people back in the office and let them know what a fantastic day it was. It’s the start of a fantastic journey.”

Wing Commander Andrew Dobson, Officer Commanding 607 Sqn, said: “Hopefully as she now progresses through her air force career, Jacqueline’s experience will encourage more of her colleagues to take a similar path and join the reserves.”