ROYAL Marine Dominic Lavery has become the second pupil in a year from St Leonards RC school, in Durham, to be awarded the Green Beret, the hallmark of Commando troops.

Mr Lavery, 19, from Meadow-field, in Durham, passed out from the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, Devon, in December, after a gruelling 30-month course. His father, Wilf, said: "He was always interested in joining the armed forces, and when you think about a young lad his age being up for action and adventure, it's every boy's dream."

Mr Lavery is now posted in Scotland where he is helping to protect submarines with the Fleet Royal Marine Protection Group.