THE Army may be shrinking but it is still taking new recruits – including those swearing allegiance to the Queen on the day they got their GCSE results.

The force is being cut from 102,000 to 82,000 men, however fresh blood is still needed and five more youngsters signed up at Bournemouth’s Army careers office.

Head of recruiting Major Vince Maher said: “We must guard against the perception we don’t need recruits. You can’t just switch that otherwise you will feel the effect in three or four years’ time.”

He took the four men and one woman through the traditional oath of allegiance to the Queen while their smartly-dressed families watched with a mix of pride and anxiety about the future.

Major Maher said: “I don’t avoid Afghanistan because the chances are, that with some of the jobs these fine young men and women have chosen, they are probably going there in the next two years.”

The new recruits gave the the usual mix of reasons for joining up – the chance to serve their country, the prospect of a career in tough times, the opportunity for excitement.

Recruits passing through the office in recent years have included several of the Dorset men killed in action, like Kinson’s Jonny Allott, 19, and Verwood ’s Phil Allen, 20.

Sharon Jury, 46, from Wareham, mum of 16-year-old recruit Harry, said: “I’m very, very proud of him but worried as well – but it’s what he has always wanted to do since he was five and his grandad gave him a toy gun. I have mixed feelings.”

The mum of recruit Anthony Marsh said: “I don’t think any mother would willingly advise her son to join the Army but they can make their own decisions.”

Jacqui Andrews, 57, mum of Toby, said: “I am really proud. It’s so difficult to get a future and jobs at the moment and I think this is an ideal route to fulfilling his goals.”