AN OATH of allegiance to the Queen was sworn by young soldiers in Teesside yesterday (Monday December 10).

The group of new recruits took their oath at an enlistment ceremony held at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

They were joined by their proud families and Army officers for the ceremony in the Council Chamber, which marks the final part of a recruit’s journey into the Army.

The soldiers, who will start training in January, are set to join the Infantry Royal Engineers, Royal Signal and Royal Logistics Corps.

Recruit Matthew Holden, from Middlesbrough, said: “I’m very happy to be in my regiment.

“It’s been a long time in the making but now I’m here. I’ve put in the time and now I will reap the rewards.”

Duncan Roy, a soldier from Northallerton, said: “I feel very proud. All lot of hard work has gone into getting to this point.

“I’ve been waiting for a long time and I’m really excited about training and getting stuck in.”

The troops were presented with certificates by Major Dave Wilson MBE BEM, Area Recruiting Officer for the Army.