THE Parachute Regiment, one of the Army's most identifiable and distinguished regiments, is creating a new training base for the North West.

The regiment is looking for new recruits to join the Territorial Army platoon of approximately 45 soldiers. As TA, they will serve on a paid, part-time basis.

The recruiting net will extend across the North West, with training taking place at the TA Centre in Prescot Road, St Helens.

It marks a return to the region for the 4th Battalion (4 PARA) after a 10-year gap.

Recruiting teams are now on the lookout for people to join the platoon.

Training nights will be held every Tuesday and are to begin in early September 2006.

4 PARA routinely reinforces the full-time Parachute Regiment battalions, as well as the wider Army.

Recently, soldiers from 4 PARA have served in operations in Sierra Leone, the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since the regiment left the North West in the mid-1990s, dozens of North West TA soldiers have travelled across the Pennines to train at the unit in Leeds.

This Sunday soldiers from 4 PARA hope to signal their arrival back in the North West with a low-level parachute drop from a C130 Hercules aircraft at the Southport Air Show and Military Display, watched by thousands of people.

Major Rich Todd, of 4 PARA, said: "The Parachute Regiment has always had strong links with the North West and a history of loyal service.

"Although we've not had a training base in the North West for 10 years, our Reserve soldiers have travelled from Liverpool to Leeds on a weekly basis in order to continue to serve as PARAs.

"Following recent structural changes, we find ourselves able to establish a training base in the region which will be home to a 45-strong assault engineer platoon.

"We are looking for recruits - fit, motivated, mature 18 to 30-year-olds - interested in joining one of the most unique regiments of the British Army.

"These are Territorial Army posts - paid, part-time roles for those interested in life as a PARA but who cannot commit full-time."

If you are interested in joining 4 PARA, telephone 12 Company's recruitment hotline on 0845 433 0422 or visit 4 PARA's website at www.4para.com.