Army recruitment on the rise

The number of new recruits to the Army rose by more than 9% in the last financial year, according to figures released.

But the 9.2% rise in recruitment in 2005/06 still fell short of the Army's overall target figure by more than 1,000 soldiers, reported the BBC.

Defence Minister Adam Ingram will announce that 1,060 more soldiers - 11,460 in total - joined compared to the previous year.

Mr Ingram will mark the increase during a visit to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Speaking to graduating soldiers, he will say: "I'm pleased to say that this year we have seen a significant increase in those expressing an interest in joining the Army. Where you have led, others follow.

"Public support for our forces is vitally important. It is justifiably very high. Eighty percent of the British public thinks our army is among the best in the world.

"As you leave this fine establishment, each of you has a role to play in helping the public to understand what you do and why you do it."

A high profile TV advertising campaign is thought to have been instrumental in attracting more people to the forces amid major deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.