Deepcut barracks are to be torn down

Six years after its name became forever linked with the deaths of four young soldiers, Deepcut barracks is to be torn down.

Sources yesterday confirmed that The Princess Royal Barracks in Surrey, the main training centre for the Royal Logistics Corps, will be axed, though there was no confirmation of claims it is to be bulldozed to make way for a 5,000-home housing estate.

Deepcut's closure by 2014 is expected to be announced tomorrow as part of the Ministry of Defence's Defence Training Review.

Bullying and abuse claims bedevilled the barracks during one of the most enduring scandals to hit the British Army. Four young soldiers were found dead at the barracks Privates Sean Benton, 20, and Cheryl James, 18, in 1995; Private Geoff Gray, 17, in 2001; and Private James Collinson, also 17, in 2002.

An independent review later concluded the deaths were probably self-inflicted but criticised army training, citing "harassment, discrimination and oppressive behaviour".