A POLICE report into the deaths of four soldiers at a military base is likely to criticise Army chiefs and lead to renewed calls for a public inquiry.

The report, compiled following the death of 17-year-old North-East soldier Geoff Gray, is believed to make 27 separate recommendations for change.

It will be published next week, in the wake of a major survey of Army personnel which reveals that most soldiers believe bullying is a serious problem which needs to be addressed urgently.

Detectives were called in to carry out a inquiry after Private Gray was found dead at Deepcut Barracks, in Surrey.

His family, originally from Seaham, County Durham, refuse to believe the Army's explanation of suicide. The police investigation also examined the deaths of another two men and a female soldier at the barracks.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "It is hoped the report will be ready this month. We cannot speculate on what it will say."

But Pte Gray's father, also called Geoff, said the report would make 27 recommendations of changes to be made.

"It will be published on January 12 with a copy going to the library of the House of Commons. That means it will be made public," said Mr Gray, now of Hackney, London.

He said he had been told of the recommendations by Surrey Chief Constable Dennis O'Connor.

He said: "I think the report should force ministers to give us a public inquiry into non-combative deaths in the Army.

"The really sad thing is that there are parents out there who believe their sons and daughters committed suicide when that might not be the case."

Mr Gray has consistently claimed that his son, killed by two gunshot wounds to the head, was the victim of bullying.

The latest report comes after a secret survey by the Ministry of Defence revealed that young soldiers were increasingly concerned about being bullied.

The internal poll, of more than 4,000 Army personnel, has been made public in a response to questions in the House of Commons. It revealed that 51 per cent of soldiers now regard bullying as a serious problem, compared to 43 per cent last year.

Relatives of more than 70 soldiers killed in non-combative incidents, including several based at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, have called for a public inquiry.