TWO new recruits from the region are to join an elite Army regiment.

Glenn Warris, 21, from Northallerton, and John Madderson, 17, from Darlington, have enlisted for the Parachute Regiment at Darlington Army Careers Office.

John, a former Branksome School pupil, said: "I am really looking forward to enlisting with the Parachute Regiment and cannot wait to get involved in Army life and rise to the challenges that lie ahead."

Both John and Glen are following family members through the Army. John has three uncles serving in the Army, while Glenn will join his stepfather, who is also in the Parachute Regiment.

The pair will train at the Infantry Training Centre, at Catterick.

They will complete the Combat Infantryman's Course, which ends with a two-week battle camp testing mental and physical fitness in a challenging environment as a trained infantryman.

They will then go on to Brize Norton, in Wiltshire, to complete a three-week parachute course, where they will learn how to drop and land, including jumps from 800 metres up.

Mick O'Reilly, a Warrant Officer Second Class, from the Darlington Army Careers Office, said: "It is extremely satisfying to see such exceptional recruits embarking on their Army careers. John and Glenn will have plenty of training opportunities, and could find themselves working anywhere in the world in the near future. I am sure they will enjoy exciting futures with the Army and have great career prospects ahead of them."

For information on careers, visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk or call 08457-300-111.