AN ARMY sergeant from Burnley has taken part in a groundbreaking ‘web chat’ as part of a new military recruitment drive.

Sgt David Barnes, 35, talked to would-be squaddies about his 18-year career in the armed forces via Facebook last night He currently serves as an instructor with the Royal Military School of Music, preparing recruits for their dep- loyments to bands across the service.

But the former Colne Primet High student has also served for 15 years with the Royal Engineers Band and has worked in turning around the lives of young offenders during a 15-month assignment.

Sgt Barnes said: “I wanted to join the Army for the career prospects that it offered and for the life experience that I simply wouldn’t get anywhere else.

“Being in the Army gives you so many opportunities and there are plenty of exciting challenges. It’s great to now have the opportunity to share my experience by talking to potential recruits and encouraging them to take the next step too.”

The sergeant was on hand to answer questions about his own experiences and offer advice on finding the right role for each potential recruit.

Currently, the Army is looking to take on 17,000 new troops, from the regulars to the reserves.

But earlier this year it closed its two East Lancashire recruiting offices, in Burnley and Blackburn, and is now looking increasingly to online initiatives.

The full-time Army is being cut from around 102,000 to 82,000, with the reserve force swelling from around 19,000 to 30,000.