PARENTS looked on with pride as their sons and daughters marched into their futures as Britain's newest soldiers.

The 16-year-old students joined the Army Foundation College Harrogate, in January, for a one-year course in military skills and vocational qualifications.

The chief of staff of HQ Land, Major General Richard Shirreff, inspected the 350 students from across the UK and took the salute when they qualified from the college.

They were watched by the commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Guy Deacon, and other members of staff. The Junior Regimental Sergeant Major and college's top student, Martyn Cheshire, 17, from Nottingham, was escort.

The Burma and Alamein companies marched on to parade led by the Normandy Band of the Queen's Division, directed by Captain Kevin Roberts.

Following the inspection and salute, there was a short prize giving where Junior Corporal James Nortcliffe, from Scarborough, won the award for the best contribution to the college.

The students will now receive specialist phase two training in their chosen discipline.

The college trains all cap badges from Infantry to Royal Military Police and Army Air Corps to Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Lt Col Deacon said: "The graduation of Burma and Alamein companies marks the individual achievements, over 42 weeks, of all the 380 male and female Army students on parade.

"I would like to pay tribute to the motivation and commitment shown by these young men and women and to their families for their support. Central to their success has been the dedication and professionalism of the staff who will watch them graduate."