A SAILOR from Seaham has completed the first part of his Royal Navy training.

Lee Teare, 22, joined HMS Raleigh in Cornwall, the navy's premier training establishment in the South-West, last November for eight weeks of intensive training.

He has learned basic skills including seamanship, fire-fighting, weapons training and, most importantly, how to work as part of a team.

He previously worked in a Royal Mail call centre.

Mr Teare said: "I joined the Royal Navy to gain a good career and to travel the world. The training at HMS Raleigh over the past eight weeks has been hard but enjoyable.

"I am now looking forward to progressing my career and serving on a ship. One of the highlights of my time at HMS Raleigh was being part of the winning team for sports."

The former pupil of Seaham Comprehensive School will now go to HMS Sultan, near Portsmouth, for specialist training to prepare him for a career in the Royal Navy.