Fijians rush to join army

The Prince of Wales regiment launched a drive to bring in trainee soldiers from the islands after a failure to recruit enough people locally.

However, news of the pay and the prestige of joining the British Army has encouraged thousands of Fijians to apply.

Now the Ministry of Defence faces a backlog as it ploughs through 15,000 forms from would-be servicemen and women.

Private Ray Maharaj and Lance Corporal Glanville Lalabalavu are two of 40 successful applicants.

"Coming from a small country, this was an opportunity for us to get a secure job, secure income and also see the world," said Private Maharaj.

"Relatives and friends, back home in Fiji, have a fervent wish to come and join the British army and me being here has made them proud," added Lance Corporal Lalabalavu.

But finding sufficient money for flights and accommodation in the UK so they can undergo the rigorous tests, can be difficult for the young Fijians.

Their government has been inundated with requests from families for help.

Selection tests

Now the British government has agreed to send a team to Fiji to run a series of selection tests.

"Then we can be satisfied that someone who's selected in Fiji will only travel to Britain in the full knowledge that he's going to get in the army," said the British high commissioner.

If the selection process in Fiji is successful, many regiments could benefit from a similar boost in numbers.