A recruitment team is back from a Mediterranean mission to match Army wives to North Yorkshire jobs.

Joanne Lorenz, of the Richmond JobCentre, joined Lesley Simmons, from the Liz Dargue Employment Agency, and Liz Armstrong, from Catterick Garrison's Army Families Federation, on a flight to Cyprus before Christmas.

But their aim was not to enjoy the attractions of the holiday island. Instead, they led presentations at an employment fair, outlining the jobs available around North Yorkshire.

It is hoped, when soldiers serving with the Kings Own Border Reg-iment are posted back to Catterick Garrison in March, their wives will have a better idea of the oppor-tunities the area can offer.

As a result, local employers with vacancies this spring may find them easier to fill when the unit arrives to take up its new duties in the UK.

Joanne said the project seemed to work. "It seemed to go down very well over there, and I'd like to think we can do something similar with the Army Families Federation and Liz Dargue in future," she said.

"It means the Catterick area will not be unknown to these families, and they will know more now about what there is on offer in terms of employment and where to look."