Banbury's Territorial Army squadron will be showing off new communications equipment next month during their annual recruitment campaign.

The group, the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars Signal Squadron, will be in Castle Quay shopping centre on Saturday, May 6, in a bid to boost numbers. They will demonstrate a brand new mobile satellite communications and computer network system known as Reebok, which has just been delivered to the group's Oxford Road base.

The equipment will see the squadron become the main link between the army and civilian emergency services in the event of a national crisis.

Squadron commander Major Ruth Empson said: "This is a great opportunity for us to learn a raft of new techniques, including IT and network skills, as we prepare for our new role. This has coincided with the launch of our spring recruiting campaign, and the opening of our new recruitment suite the first in the area."

Lance Corporal Clive Wragg, of Banbury, will be responsible for keeping the new equipment in working order.

He said: "This kit is really up to date and the generators are really advanced. I now want my HGV licence so that I can drive the truck that tows the generator."

On May 6, the TA will meet people interested in joining the squadron, and will invite likely candidates back to the TA centre on Saturday, May 20.

Anyone wanting to know more about the TA in Banbury should call 01295 262178.