A Royal Marines Reserves outfit in Hartlepool's Easington Road has been fully operational since June.

But on Wednesday, military chiefs visited the base to declare it up to scratch and to celebrate its grand opening with a cocktail party and a display by Hartlepool and Royal Marine Sea Cadets.

Commodore Chris Steele, head of the reserve forces for both the Navy and Marines, was in town to declare the centre open.

He told the Mail: "I recognise that there has been a long and proud military history in Hartlepool and we want to tap into this excellence.

"What we can offer individuals here is a well organised unit that opens up many opportunities. It also not only contributes to the defence of this nation, but to the community as a whole by offering free training.

"This is for the people of Hartlepool and we are sure it will get a good response."

The unit also has bases in Newcastle and Leeds, but military chiefs wanted to plug the gap in-between.

The Hartlepool centre can house between 20 and 30 men hoping to become fully-fledged Green Berets, under the new outfit the Hartlepool Detachment of RMR Tyne.

Although part of the Navy reserve list, the commandos can expect to serve alongside regular troops on tours of war zones such as Afghanistan.

Commodore Steele added: "Reservists are a major part of the armed forces and are vital to defence. It is now more a question of when and not if reservists go to war."

Naval chiefs have pumped £140,000 to convert part of the existing TA centre into a marine base. New facilities include classrooms, a dining hall, bar, store and offices, with a rope assault course and gym to follow shortly.

Recruits aged 16 to 30 can apply for positions with the unit. For more details on becoming a commando, call 0800 0325094.