MORE than 170 children from schools in Bolton will be among more than 12,000 pupils from the north of England to gain an insight into life in the Army, at the UK's largest ever outdoor Army careers exhibition.

Army Exhibition for Schools is a three-day event being held between June 18-20 at Marne Barracks in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

Pupils from Canon Slade, Turton and Withins schools will be taking part.

More than 140 trades, from drivers, mechanics and engineers, to cooks, medics and musicians are on offer to Army recruits.

Local pupils will be able to find out more about these through speaking to the soldiers themselves and taking part in a host of activities throughout the three days.

Opportunities at the event include joining The Army for 30 minutes, taking part in assault obstacle courses and battling it out in the laser dome.

Displays of different military skills will be given by the 4 Para freefall parachute display team, the Gurkha Company's Tae Kwon Do team, and the Royal Signals' Motorcycle display team.

The Army has 15,000 job vacancies available to 16-to-24-year-olds across the UK covering 140 different trades and professions.

More details are available from the Bolto Army Careers Office on 01204 364111.