As fighters they are capable of crushing an enemy with terrifying might.

But when some members of Britain's Armed Forces take off their uniforms, they like nothing more than casting spells and taking part in midnight rituals.

The faith, which includes shamans, sacred ecologists and heathens, has exploded in popularity in recent years.

Last year, a pagan police association was set up to cope with the increasing number of officers declaring themselves followers of the religion.

According to the MoD, 30 servicemen and women said they followed wicca, which involves religious witchcraft, or druidism. Both are offshoots of paganism.

Sixty said they were spiritualists, a faith which believes that the spirits of the dead can be contacted by mediums.

Fifty claim they are Rastafarians, a way of life which involves the worship of Haile Selassie, former King of Ethiopia. It is better known for its links the reggae music of Bob Marley.

Others put down Zoroastrian and Baha'i, both established in Persia but now in danger of extinction, and Kirati, an ancient Nepalese religion with a Hindu influence.

The overwhelming majority of servicemen and women record themselves as being Christian or 'of no religion'.

Under the Equality Act 2006 it is illegal for Armed Forces chiefs to discriminate on the grounds of someone's beliefs.

Phil Ryder, of the British Druid Network, said he believed there were more pagans than the figures suggested. He said: 'Druids and followers of wicca tend not to publicise their beliefs for fear of discrimination. In some areas it's seen as odd.'

 Source:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1284449/100-UK-servicemen-class-pagans-MoD-reveals.html?ito=feeds-newsxml