A GROUP of junior soldiers will be on hand on Saturday to make sure Darlington's fireworks show goes with a bang.

The team of youngsters from 14 Platoon will be helping to raise money on the night for the South Park Restoration Fund, as well as carrying out a survey of crowd movement to find out when the busiest and quietest times are at entrances and exits.

Their involvement in the 2001 - A Space Oddity event forms part of their 42-week military training at the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate.

The course tests a variety of skills and involves the common military syllabus for recruits, leadership training and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The aim of the course is to transform young civilians into junior soldiers, as well as producing the senior non-commissioned and warrant officers of the future.

The members of 14 Platoon have already finished their first six weeks of training.

Their time at the Darlington fireworks event will give them their first opportunity to work outside the confines of the Army and to interact with the public.

Preparations for the fireworks display are well under way, with work on building the bonfire starting today.

The catering teams are also getting ready to provide more than 2,000 litres of soft drinks and 50,000 hot dogs expected to be consumed on the night.