A TEENAGE soldier from Shotley Bridge has just received his green beret.
Ian Ronald, a former pupil of the Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street, has successfully completed 30 weeks of the hardest initial training in the world to become a Royal Marine Commando.
The green beret is the distinctive hallmark of commando troops. Those who wear it have passed a gruelling test of endurance.
Ian said: "It's been a fantastic experience for me."
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