A PIONEERING training centre in Radcliffe has opened its doors to teenagers hoping to get a taste of Army life.

On Monday, the first group of 50 youngsters, mostly from Radcliffe and Bury, started a military preparation course with Government-backed firm Avenir.

They have already been put through their paces, with a training session at Close Park on Tuesday and running in the sea in Southport yesterday. The teenagers, aged 16 to 18, will spend the next 14 weeks learning more about the Army and gaining a qualification equivalent to a GCSE.

The training course, based in Milltown Street, includes skills such as map reading, cooking, first-aid and circuit training.

It also teaches the importance of good personal attitude, discipline, teamwork and presentation. Students will split their time between physical education, classroom work and days out doing hill walking and visiting Army barracks.

The course is aimed at young people who are not in education, employment or training.

Avenir is also forming links with local schools and hopes GCSE students will be able to spend one day a week there learning about the Army.

Company director Steve Harrison, who also runs centres in Preston and Burnley, said: “I am really pleased that the new centre has opened. It is a fantastic facility and will serve the people of Radcliffe very well.

“There has been an unbelievable amount of interest in the centre and people have really welcomed it. We are already taking bookings for our next course in January.”

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact centre manager Tony Costello on 0161 724 7770 or visit armytaster.com