SOLDIERS from the 1st Battalion The Green Howards have competed at a Northern Ireland Army base for an award bestowed by the King of Norway.

Among those taking part were Private Marc Bowcock, 19, and Private Jonathon Cross, 21, both from Billingham, Teesside.

They are also both former Bishopsgarth School pupils and are serving together on a two-year operational tour of Northern Ireland.

The annual competition, held in honour of the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, King Harald V of Norway, includes a four-mile run with rifle and pack, an assault course and written and practical tests on military skills.

Major James Purnell, commanding officer at the Green Howards headquarters, said: "The competition is a culmination of months of hard work during which the soldiers are also assessed at a range of military exercises involving disciplines such as shooting and orienteering."

The two soldiers have earned the right to wear a burgundy badge embroidered in gold with the king's initial.

About 250 troops from five companies of Green Howards took part in the challenge at Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly, County Londonderry last week.