THE Territorial Army is holding a recruiting day at its local headquarters in Prescot Road on Saturday, October 30, between 10am and 4pm.

The site is home to the Battery 103rd Regiment Royal Artillery, which provides ammunition and equipment to missile equipped batteries based in other parts of the North West. It also provides a communications centre when deployed on training and operations.

Members attend for training one evening a week and up to two weekends a month, as well as taking part in an annual exercise for a fortnight.

On joining, the soldiers - men and women aged between 17 and 32 - are paid regular army rates and expenses every time they attend training, along with an annual tax-free bonus of up to £1,050.

Major Norman Williamson, commander of the St Helens unit, said: "Basically if you are prepared to give up your time you can't lose, you can only benefit from the experience it offers. Ultimately, you get out of the TA what you are willing to put in."

There is no obligation for anyone attending the recruiting day to join. And if you can't make it on October 30, you can pop into the Prescot Road headquarters at 8pm on any Tuesday evening. For more information ring 01744 22180 for the artillery, or 0151 495 2437 for the REME.

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