The British Army has been holding recruitment days across Cumbria.

Carlisle, Workington and Whitehaven had opportunities from Monday to Thursday for people to experience Army life.

The recruitment events gave people the chance to put any questions that they may have about the army to local soldiers and career advisers. The soldiers were able to give any nervous potential recruits a first-hand account of what it is actually like to serve in the Army.

The Duke of Lancaster’s Infantry Regiment, Cumbria’s adopted Army regiment, was also on hand to showcase the latest weapons systems and armour being used in operations and training.

Marc Steventon, regional operations manager, said: “The British Army has such a big range of roles and opportunities available and, as one of the most respected organisations in the world, a career in the Army will see you go far.

“The Army is recruiting and there is a breadth of roles and opportunities available in both the Regular Army and Army Reserve, from helicopter pilot to nurse, from engineer to IT specialist. You can go sky diving or skiing abroad as part of adventure training and gain further qualifications such as an apprenticeship or a degree.”

In September 2018, the largest intake of recruits from the Carlisle area in five-and-a-half years was sworn in at the Civic Centre.

The 16 recruits were inspired to enlist by films they watched as children, and by taking part in cadets as teenagers.

At another swearing in ceremony last month, one recruit said: “I come from a big military family, so I wanted to do something similar to them.

“I was interested by the qualifications and that I will come out and get a nice paying job.”

In recent years, the British Army has struggled to find people willing to enlist and failed to meet recruit targets.

Back in January, it took a new approach to the process by releasing a series of controversial recruitment advertisements that targeted ‘millennial’ snowflakes, binge gamers, and phone zombies.

Gavin Williamson, Defence Secretary, described the campaign as a “powerful call to action” that invites young people, who want to make a difference, to join an inclusive and innovative team.

He said: “It shows that time spent in the army equips people with skills for life and provides comradeship, adventure and opportunity like no other job does.”