The Norwegian Army was in Britain yesterday to bestow a military honour on one of the members of its ranks.

However, the setting was a little unusual - Edinburgh Zoo - and the Regimental Sergeant Major in question was a penguin.

King penguin Nils Olav was promoted to the rank of Honourable Regimental Sergeant Major of Norway in a formal event complete with all the suitable pomp and ceremony.

And despite a slight flutter of the wings, the 14kg bird seemed mostly at ease throughout.

The Royal Norwegian Guard, in Scotland to participate in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, performed at the ten-minute ceremony to bestow the honour on Nils Olav.

To the sound of the guard's band, the penguin held his head high as he was led out of the penguin pool.

He then stood silently to attention as Nils Egelien, a retired major, told 200 onlookers that as a result of "extraordinary good" reports from the zoo, Olav would be promoted.

To mark the occasion, zoo keeper Rob Thomas placed a silver badge on the right flipper of the penguin.

The Norwegian Army has sponsored a penguin at the zoo since 1972.

In celebration of its 150th anniversary in 2006, the Royal Norwegian Guard has commissioned a one-metre high bronze statue of its mascot.