A COUPLE who have provided a friendly face and a shoulder to cry on for thousands of young soldiers are to retire.

Salvation Army workers Syd and Elsie Jones have become almost surrogate parents to recruits at the Infantry Training Centre, in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

For the past seven years, the couple have managed the Vickery Club, a centre for young soldiers who are completing their 24-week basic training course.

The recruits are often many miles from home, and the support offered by the couple, together with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, helps the youngsters settle into military life.

Mrs Jones, 67, who has a sign on her desk saying "one hug fits all", said: "They come to me with family problems because they feel homesick or maybe they are missing their girlfriend. We have always tried to be available for them.

"I will give them a tissue to dry their eyes with and a hug if they need it.

"Others just need someone to talk to."

Mr Jones, 68, said: "It is a culture shock for them when they first arrive; they need somewhere they can go to get away from everything.

"Our job has been to make sure they are happy, but also that they are behaving themselves."

Some recruits even call the couple, who are originally from Gateshead, mum and pop.

Private Sheyenne Hillier said the friendly atmosphere at the club meant the soldiers had somewhere to escape to for an hour.

Private Marco Galliano, from South Africa, said: "They have helped me sort out travel arrangements. It was really appreciated."

Mrs Jones said: "We have got far more out than we put in. It has been a vocation rather than a job for us.

"We have been very privileged to work with them and we are going to miss them terribly."

The couple will retire next month having worked for the Salvation Army for more than 30 years.