The Army denied it had a recruitment problem as it launched a massive new drive.

Provisional recruitment figures show 18,448 young men and women enlisted into the regular and territorial army in 2006/07 - meeting 96% of the target.

Changes that the army is making in its drive to sign up more women and ethnic minority groups, represent "the biggest change in army recruiting since the end of national service in 1964," he said.

The number enlisting as soldiers in the regular army is up 11%. Particular effort has been applied to recruiting into the Royal Regiment of Artillery and Regular Infantry with both showing a "healthy" 25% increase.

Brigadier Jackson said: "The army manifestly does not have a recruiting problem or crisis. In my judgment army recruiting is in increasingly good health and that's encouraging."

via ananova.com