A SERGEANT major was sensationally named on television last night as the man at the centre of "bullying" allegations at a controversial barracks where a North-East soldier died.

Andrew Gavaghan, who is now an Army welfare officer at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was accused of picking on young recruits when he was a sergeant at Deepcut barracks in Surrey.

The investigation - Bullied to Death, by BBC TV's Panorama programme - named 39-year-old Sgt Major Gavaghan amid claims by former colleagues of a culture of bullying at the barracks.

It is the first time that anyone has been publicly named over bullying allegations at the base where Private Geoff Gray, 17, formerly of Seaham, County Durham, was also found dead from two gunshot wounds.

Pte Gray's death is being investigated by Surrey Police along with that of Pte Sean Benton, 20, Private Cheryl James, 18, and Private James Collinson, 17.

The programme, aired on BBC1 last night, alleged that Sgt Major Gavaghan, who is also a founder member of the Mid-Durham Community Education Special Projects Team, is accused of making Pte Benton's life a misery.

It is believed detectives are poised to interview Sgt Major Gavaghan over the allegations, although there is no suggestion that the divorced father-of-two was directly involved in the deaths of the four soldiers.

The latest revelations will help strengthen the calls by Geoff Gray's parents, Geoff and Diane, for a public inquiry into all non-natural deaths at Army bases.

Speaking last night, Diane Gray, called for Sgt Major Gavaghan, who was in charge the night Pte Benton died, to be dismissed from his post at Catterick Garrison if the allegations were proved to be correct.

During the Panorama programme, Terri Lewis, 30, of Bedlington, Northumberland, alleged that Pte Benton was driven to suicide by bullies.

The former lance corporal, who served with Gavaghan at Deepcut for more than two years, said: "The bullying at Deepcut was rife. Certain sergeants, certain corporals were just abusing the power."

Glynn Boswell, a friend of Pte Benton's, speaking on Panorama about Gavaghan, said: "He did seem to give Sean a good ride, this sergeant."

Another soldier, Trevor Hunter, alleged during the programme, that he had been attacked at Deepcut.

He said: "I was sitting on my bed, and the next thing I know I'm getting thrown over a table, and punched, beaten and kicked."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said last night: "We do not tolerate bullying, so if any allegations are substantiated, action will be taken against individuals.

"They should be made known to the police who will liaise with us, and if there is any foundation to them, action will be taken.

"These allegations about him (Gavaghan), and we believe there may be more, should be presented to the police."

Panorama, with the help of a ballistics expert and pathologist, concluded that the Deepcut deaths were consistent with suicide.

Mrs Gray said: "What they are saying is that the wounds could have been self-inflicted, but who is to say that someone has not gone up and shot the soldiers?"

The parents of the Deepcut Four have employed leading forensic expert Frank Swann to look more closely into the deaths.

He is due to visit Deepcut barracks today to carry out detailed examinations at the sites where the soldiers died.

The Surrey Police investigation is still continuing into the deaths.

Mrs Gray said last night that detectives had carried out a fingertip search at Deepcut and had uncovered vital new evidence.

She said: "It is a breath of fresh air to know they have found something at last but why couldn't they have done this a search a year ago?

"We are now waiting to hear the results of the search from the police."

Army records reveal five more suicide bids at barracks

Army records obtained by Panorama revealed five further suicide attempts by troops at Deepcut between June and November 1995.

Surrey Police are currently investigating four deaths at the barracks.

Geoff Gray was found dead from two gunshot wounds to the head in September 2001. Soldiers at the inquest into his death reported seeing a man running from the scene.

A few days after the inquest, Private James Collinson, 17, of Perth, was discovered dead from a gunshot wound.

The Gray family immediately contacted his parents and urged them not to have his body cremated and lose possible forensic evidence. His body has since been exhumed by police.

A few weeks later, the families learned of the earlier deaths of Private Cheryl James, 18, of Llangollen, and Private Sean Benton, 20, of Hastings. Both died in 1995.

Pte James died from a single bullet wound to the head while on guard patrol. There have been allegations that she was sexually harassed. Pte Benton was found dead with five bullet wounds to the chest.

The families joined forces and went public about their suspicions that all was not well at Deepcut. These suspicions led to Surrey Police re-opening investigations.