STUDENTS from The Ridings High School, in Winterbourne, are among over a 1,000 pupils in Bristol and South Gloucestershire who have been receiving Citizenship lessons from the Army this week.

Major Rick Radice, Army careers adviser for the West Country and organiser of the visits by the Army Student Presentation Scheme, said: "Citizenship is seen as an increasingly important part of the school curriculum and understanding the role of the modern Army forms a part of it.

"British soldiers are involved in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in more than 30 countries and we currently undertake everything from civil engineering projects in Kenya to providing humanitarian aid to people trying to rebuild their lives in Bosnia.

"The presentations cover areas such as the global threats affecting modern society, the local, national and international role of the Army and how the Army encourages good citizenship among its members through teamwork, responsibility, respect for others and self-discipline."

The presentations are being run by Captain Ben Horne and Bombardier Michelle Slade-Jones who are normally based at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Young people who want to find out more about the Army can contact their local Army Careers Information Office, in the Yellow Pages under 'Army'. Alternatively they can log on to www.armyjobs.co.uk.