THE Territorial Army has launched a month-long recruiting campaign in a bid to fully equip units in the North.

A spokesman for the North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association said that, despite being fourth in terms of strength against establishment, there were still some units requiring more young men and women.

Positions were available in the Royal Artillery, Royal Signals, Royal Logistics Corps and the Field Ambulance.

Potential applicants would be asked to commit one weekend a month, two weeks annually for a training camp and one evening a week, which was voluntary.

The TA recognised that the civilian jobs of its members must come first and attendance at training sessions would be flexible to take into account shift patterns.

Regular Army rates of pay were available and travelling expenses would be refunded.

The skills developed within the TA could often be transferred into the civilian work place and there were more than 100 trades, ranging from cooks and vehicle mechanics to clerks and medics.

Secretary to the North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets, Brigadier Nick Hepworth, said: "Members of the Fusiliers company based at Ashington have trained in the Falkland Islands, Slovakia, Romania and Kenya this year and three TA soldiers are about to embark on an adventure training exercise to Peru."

The age limit to join the TA is 17 to 32 (35 with previous regular service) and vacancies are available at TA centres in South Shields, Washington, Sunderland, Hart-lepool, Darlington, and Middlesbrough.

For details call 0845 603 3232 or view the website at www.army.mod.uk/ta