TERRITORIAL Army centres across the region will open their doors on Saturday.

And Middlesbrough footballer Gianluca Festa helped launch the initiative yesterday.

The defender, who captained Italian Military football team during his national service, threw his weight behind TA Day.

The day will see the reserve forces battling for recruits by displaying weapons and vehicles ranging from the Queen's Own Yeomanry's Sabre to Harley Davidson motorbikes.

Centres at Bishop Auckland, Coulby Newham, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Hebburn, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Newton Aycliffe, South Shields, Stockton, Sunderland, Tynemouth, Wallsend and Washington will be open from 10am to 4pm.