Around 50 armed policemen are being recruited to ensure Britain's Prince George receives 24-hour security at Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, east England.

The extra officers are being recruited to provide Prince William and Duchess Catherine's baby - who was born last week - with 24-hour security at Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, east England, which is expected to be the couple's country home. Experts from other police forces are being drafted in as there are not currently enough firearms officers to provide sufficient round-the-clock cover for the little one at the 20,000-acre estate, where William, Catherine and George are expected to be based at 19th-century home Anmer Hall.

A spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary told The Sun newspaper recruitment of firearms officers ''remains open to both internal and external candidates''. The 10-bed house would be ideal if William, whose spell as an RAF helicopter pilot in Wales comes to an end in September, decides to seek another military posting as his brother Prince Harry is stationed at Wattisham air station in nearby Suffolk.

The new armed recruits will also carry out other duties around the property as well as guard the prince, who has been affectionately nicknamed Georgie by the Royal Family. Prince Charles said earlier this week: ''He'll be known as Georgie in no time.''