THREE north Lancashire students have signed up to a unit of the army after receiving a taste of military life.

Students from the level two and level three public services course at Lancaster and Morecambe College took part in a six week army reserve taster course at the Lancaster reserves training centre, to give them an insight into the job.

"I was very impressed with the students, particularly their individual drive, motivation, determination and their achievement as a group," praised Captain Shane Ferris, who trained the group alongside his current reserve unit.

"I would gladly have any of these students serving in my unit and working alongside me."

The course was organised by Kevin McGuffog, a tutor at the college, and Corporal Sean Bateson, the reserves careers advisor in the Lancaster area, to demonstrate how students have the option to 'earn and learn' with the army reserves.

Students were encouraged to develop independence and team building skills, through challenges including footdrill, skills at arms – including dismantling and reassembling a rifle and checking for safety skills - leadership tasks and various sports activities.

Now several LMC students have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in the army.