THE Mayor of Worcester was on hand to welcome the latest Worcestershire youngsters who are joining the Army.

As a special treat, Councillor Ian Imray - a former army man himself - took on the job usually reserved for head of recruitment Major Ken Kennedy.

The enlistment usually takes place at the Worcester Army careers information office in Foregate Street, but this time was held at the Guildhall.

The new recruits pledged their allegiance to Queen and country and were enlisted into a variety of Army careers.

Major Kennedy called it "the ultimate endorsement" to have Coun Imray hosting the enlistment.

Coun Imray, who steps down as Mayor of Worcester next week, spent 10 years as a member of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

Major Kennedy said: "We were extremely privileged to have the mayor host the enlistment for us. It was a special treat for us all and will certainly be one to remember for the new recruits.

"Increasingly, youngsters are realising that the Army offers a fantastic lifestyle and often appeals to ambitious individuals who want challenge and adventure to be an integral part of their job.

"For the mayor to show an interest in the enlistment is the ultimate endorsement."

Coun Imray said: "Everyone who joins the Army goes through the enlistment - it's a big day for them, and a very special one. I was only too happy to do it."

Coun Imray was stationed in various places across the world such as Hong Kong, Aden and Germany during his time in the army.

The new recruits being enlisted into the Army were Jason Rossiter, aged 17, from Bromsgrove, Scott Ritchie, 18, from Redditch, who both join the Queens Royal Hussars, and Steven Smalley, 27, from Kidderminster, who was enlisted into the Parachute Regiment.