Army recruitment is being stepped up in the Midlands to take advantage of a an increase in people looking to join the forces due to rising unemployment.

More than 1,100 training places are available and the Mercian Regiment is looking to find 150 new troops to fill next year’s allocation.

As well as front line infantry there are roles for medical technicians, communications systems operators, ammunition technicians and supply specialists.

Major Jimmy Lamb, Army recruitment officer for the region, said: “For 2010-2011, the area hit its target of 380 new recruits.

“There are not a lot of jobs out there in the area. That’s why we are getting a lot more interest.

“We are seeing a lot of people in their mid 20s looking for a change in direction.

“The Army offers financial security. You’ve got a job for at least four years, the salary is fantastic and you get to travel.

“The best thing about the Army is the camaraderie.”

Anyone interested in serving in the former Staffordshire Regiment — the 3rd Battalion of the Mercians — can go along on Thursdays to the Army recruitment office in Old Hall Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, from 11am, where trained Army professionals will be waiting to speak to potential recruits.

They will give advice and information on different sorts of Army careers.

Starting salaries in the British Army begin at £17,000 a year, after training.

Nationally unemployment increased by 49,000 in the three months to November to reach 2.5 million.

* The first soldiers from the Third Battalion will fly out for their tour of duty in Afghanistan on February 8.

The full 640 strength of the battalion will be deployed in Helmand Province.

The 150 troops in B Company are the first to go out with the rest due to arrive by April. It is the battalion’s first operational deployment since they returned from Iraq in 2007.

Since then the armoured infantry battalion has re-located from Tidworth in Wiltshire to Bad Fallingbostel in Germany.