A soldier allegedly struck with a pick-axe during an Army exercise is out of danger.

Lance Corporal Konrad Bisping, 26, based at Catterick Garrison, was fighting for his life following the incident on Salisbury Plain last week.

He needed emergency surgery to remove an axe from his head.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said today: ''There has been some slight improvement over the weekend. He is still in a serious condition but has now stabilised and is now not considered critical.''

A 17-year-old private, also from the 1st Battalion the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, has been charged with attempted murder.

He will appear before a youth court tomorrow for committal to Crown Court.