A BATTLE course which turns out crack commanders and potential future generals, is being transferred from Warminster by the Ministry of Defence.

The course will move to a military base in Brecon, which is to be transformed into a centre of training excellence for the cream of Britain's officer talent.

Hundreds of young officers from Sandhurst will pass through the Derring Lines of Brecon in mid-Wales for four months' intensive training, on a renowned infantry course.

This move will have little effect on Warminster, as the old training course will be replaced with a new one.

Lft Col Mike Beard said: "Soon after the move a junior officer tactics awareness course for everybody in the British Army will replace it.

"It is already chock-a-block at Warminster and it will remain so for some time to come."

The Brecon base already trains 4,000 infantry students a year but has never before handled high-flying officers of the future.

At least 20 extra permanent staff jobs will be created at the complex as a result of the move, with a number of civilian posts.

The first recruits from Sandhurst will pass through the base in January 2004, by which time a new £5m accommodation block and officers mess will be completed.