FRESH bullying allegations have been made by soldiers at Europe's biggest Army base, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Squaddies at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, have sought legal advice with a firm of military solicitors in the hope of seeking compensation for their distress.

The allegations, made by a number of serving soldiers, will add fuel to calls by MPs and the families of dead soldiers for an urgent public inquiry into an alleged Army culture of bullying and intimidation.

Last night, solicitor Colin Harrison of Scotts Wright, in Catterick Garrison, and chairman of Forces Law, a national firm specialising in armed services cases, said: "I have received inquiries from a number of soldiers with regard to possible claims of bullying, some of which may result in due course in claims being made for compensation on their behalf."

The Northern Echo has also learned of a number of other incidents at the base. These include:

* A recruit at the Garrison's infantry training centre (ITC) is alleged to have been doused in petrol and set alight as he slept;

* Soldier Jonathon Le Marie has refused to return to Catterick because he claims he is being beaten by a senior officer;

* Former recruit Graham Downie alleged he was singled out and bullied for being Scottish and made to leave the Army;

* A private at the ITC claimed he had an ironing board and a television dropped on him by fellow recruits after they returned from drunken night out.

A source inside the Garrison told Lynn Farr, mother of Private Daniel Farr, who died in mysterious circumstances at Catterick in 1997, about a number of the incidents, which were later confirmed to her by a senior officer. The Army declined to confirm to The Northern Echo whether the alleged incidents had taken place.

Mrs Farr said: "We want all bullying, abuse, and serious assaults to be fully investigated and for the Army to be more accountable."

An allegation of sexual assault was also made by a male soldier who claimed he was attacked in the shower room at the Garrison's Vimy barracks but the allegation has since been withdrawn and the soldier involved is now leaving the Army.

Former Northern Ireland spokesman Kevin McNamara, who is spearheading the campaign for a public inquiry into deaths at Army barracks, intends to raise questions in the Commons.

A Catterick spokesman said: "Jonathon Le Marie is on sick leave and he has not been in touch. He has not communicated with regards to bullying. He really needs to get in touch with us."

Regarding Graham Downie, he said: "If an official claim was made we would investigate it. If he would like to still make it, we would look into it."

Armed Forces personnel who need advice can contact the Forces Law 24-hour helpline on 0845 601 1260.