The Ministry of Defence has met all its recruitment targets and there has been “no downturn” in the number of new soldiers joining up, a spokesman for the MoD said.

This runs counter to claims by the News of the World that the British Army is being stretched to the limit because of the war in Iraq.

The tabloid claimed that the MoD has been forced to send almost 3,000 reservists and Territorial Army soldiers to plug the gaps in the front line.

It also claimed that a higher proportion of troops – 35% – are currently fighting or involved in active service than at any time since the Korean War.

The Ministry of Defence admitted there had been a slight decline in the intake of officers, but said it was “not a concern”.

The Defence Recruiting Committee will meet in October to discuss all aspects of recruitment, when more data will become available.

From 1 October, the MoD will be launching information on golden hellos and a new bounty scheme offering financial incentives.

Although there are shortages within some parts of the military – including vehicle mechanics, chefs, and ammunition technicians – there are no plans to use private agencies, said Colonel Alasdair Loudon.

“The best way at the moment to recruit soldiers is with soldiers”, he said.