Rastafarians by an Exemption Tribunal.

For the four-strong tribunal exempted reluctant squaddies Evan Lambert and Dion Woolridge from all Regiment service for eight months.

Mr. Lambert was told by tribunal chairman Stephen Kendell: "There is no doubt in our minds whatsoever that you believe in your Rastafarian religion.'' But Mr. Kendell added that he had warned Mr. Lambert at the beginning that professing any religion was not an automatic route off the parade ground.

And he said: "We are not convinced that we should suggest to His Excellency the Governor you be exempted from military service.

"However, we have come to what we think is a compromise solution which we hope will be acceptable to you.'' Now the two men's situation will be reviewed in November. The tribunal may grant a further year's exemption -- its maximum remedy -- or recommend to Governor Lord Waddington that the two should be granted a total exemption.

In addition, the law might be changed by then to allow for community service work.

Mr. Woolridge told the tribunal that he had been unsure about his God and had lacked a father figure to guide him -- but had turned to Rastafarianism eventually.

He added that his instincts had been against army service, but he did not want to upset his mother -- a single parent -- by having to go to jail.

Mr. Woolridge added: "It goes against what I wanted to do, but for my mother's sake I did it.'' After the decision was announced, Mr. Lambert -- who only embraced Rastafarianism last August after joining the Regiment in the January intake -- refused to comment on the tribunal verdict.

But Rastafarian Ijah Queen -- who was one of three witnesses called by Mr.

Lambert -- said she was pleased with the tribunal's decision.

She added: "I can understand their point of view in people saying `I am a Rastafarian, I want to be deferred.

"They have to see spiritual growth. It is difficult to see spiritual growth in such a short time.'' But she said she felt that the tribunal would be convinced and see Mr.

Lambert's genuine commitment to his faith in November.

Earlier, Mr. Lambert told the tribunal that Regiment service was wrong.

He said: "I serve one God and I serve Haile Selassie -- what this army stands for isn't a righteous fight. If it's a righteous fight then I would include myself.'' But Mr. Kendell raised the possibility of service in a body like the St. John Ambulance Brigade as an alternative to army life.

Mr. Lambert said that he hoped to study commercial art abroad, starting later this year.

During the tribunal's judgement, Mr. Kendell said: "We are also cognisant that you have expressed the view that you will probably go abroad to school.

"The Regiment cannot stop you from going abroad to school and your service is automatically deferred until you return.'' Regiment Capt. Larry Mussenden -- who sat in on the independent tribunal as an observer -- questioned the reasoning behind an eight-month deferrment.

He was told that Mr. Lambert may have changed his beliefs between now and then and that it would avoid "a lot of heartache'' for the Regiment over Mr.

Lambert having a regulation haircut or possibly ending up in jail.

Mr. Kendell added:: "We are giving us a little time and trying to be flexible.'' But Capt. Mussenden told the tribunal members that the Regiment "would do what it had to do'' with the recruits it was given.