DAD'S Army took on a whole new meaning when 15 lads joined-up.

Most of the lads - including five from Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley - said that, when it came to the crunch decision of whether to leave civvy street behind, it was encouragement from either dads or grandads that swayed the balance.

The 15 were the highest number ever to swear allegiance to the Queen in a single ceremony at the local Army Careers Office.

And local Army recruiting staff, led by Warrant Officer Everton Williams, believe they have taken on a bunch of lads who all have excellent prospects.

"They have all joined because they can see that the Army offers excellent careers," he said. "They have not turned to the Army because they could not get any other kind of job. They have all just left school."

The 15 will start their 42 weeks initial training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate on September 10.

Even during training they will get £123 a week. Then they will split up to join the unit of their choice which includes the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Royal Armoured Corps and the Paras.

They will then be on four-year contracts before they decide whether to make a long-term career in the Army.

The recruits are:

Richard Morgan and Chris Webster, who are both from Atherton and were pals at Hesketh Fletcher School; Adam Bell of Little Hulton; Paul Burgess of Westhoughton; Craig Cross of Halliwell; Jonathan Harris of Ramsbottom; Adam Davey of Radcliffe; Lee Pennington of Leigh; Andrew Mann and Lee Foster of Tyldesley; Kierran Thompson of Horwich; Matthew Bloomer of Breightmet; Chris Iddon of Little Hulton; Chris Boardman of Sharples and Stephen Nicholson of Great Lever.

All the lads are 16 except Lee Pennington, who is 17.

Andrew Mann said: "My dad was in the Army for 12 years and he persuaded me it was a good life, but tough. I had already made my mind up to join, but he encouraged me."

Lee Foster's dad Chris also spurred his son to join -- but he's going to miss him! Lee has been helping his dad on a busy window cleaning round.

Although all the recruits have different ambitions in the Army, all have one initial goal -- to pass the driving test. And some hope to go on to get HGV licences with the Army's training.

When they get to Harrogate, they will be closely vetted over their suitability for the roles they have chosen.