FIVE young men are taking the next step in their Army careers by passing out of their training academy.

The men graduated from the Infantry Training Centre, at Catterick Garrison, after completing their basic training.

Brothers Barry Briggs and Albert Duffy, along with Glen Sowerby and Allan Winter - all from Darlington - and Mark Bihari, from Ferryhill, County Durham, will now go on to full-time Army posts.

Privates Briggs and Duffy will join 2 Light Infantry in Edinburgh, along with Pte Bihari. Ptes Sowerby and Winter will be based with 1 Light Infantry in Paderborn, Germany, before being deployed to Iraq early next year.

Pte Briggs, a former pupil at Branksome School in Darlington, said: "It's great that I'm going to be in the same regiment as Albert, as for most soldiers, being apart from family can be one of the hardest things."

Pte Bihari, a former pupil of St John's Comprehensive School in Ferryhill, said: "It was great to be part of the pass-out parade.

"Although it was hard work, I loved every minute of my basic training, and I'm looking forward to joining my regiment and experiencing my first overseas deployment."

Sergeant Gareth Elliot, recruiter at the Army Careers Office on Northgate, in Darlington, said: "It is always a proud moment to see young soldiers that we have enlisted from our office pass out from basic training."

For information on an Army career, visit the Darlington Army Careers Information Office on (01325) 464530 or visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk