YOUNGSTERS on the North-East's crime-ridden estates are being offered the chance to train with the Paras.

Durham Agency Against Crime will take volunteers to visit the Parachute Regiment, in Aldershot, from March 11 to 15.

After proving themselves to be drug and crime free, the youngsters will undergo a Look at Life course, in which they will experience Army life and develop their self confidence, leadership skills, fitness and survival skills.

Having recently served in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland, Macedonia and Afghanistan, the regiment is now recruiting in the North-East. Posts range from drivers to machine gunners.

Mary Atkin, one of the scheme's leaders, said: "One of the main aims of the project is to help young people develop skills and qualities which will enable them to be involved in today's society in a positive way.

"Durham Agency Against Crime is delighted to have gone into partnership with the Parachute Regiment."

Major Fergus Smith, a spokesman for the regiment, said: "We are actively looking for soldiers from the North-East, as we find them to have many of the qualities we are looking for in our soldiers - a strong sense of pride, determination and a sense of humour."