SOLDIERS from B Squadron, the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, exchanged their tanks for a very different vehicle this weekend (aug 13/14) as they took part in an adventure training exercise, sailing in the Solent.

They were led by the squadron's Second-in-Command, Captain Matt Plumridge, who is a qualified yacht skipper as well as a tank commander. For Cerys White, from Warminster, whose day job is as a housing manager with Wiltshire Council, this was the chance to experience something entirely new. "I really enjoyed the experience, although the sunshine probably made it more comfortable than it could have been," she said.

Lieutenant Andy McDowall, who works during the week as a project manager at Porton Down, added: "This was a fantastic opportunity to get the team out and working together in a very different environment."

Some members of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry are already experienced sailors. Captain Plumridge competed as a member of the Royal Armoured Corps crew on a race around Ireland in July and Trooper Ed Wiggins, from Devizes, is currently racing with the Army under-25 crew.

The squadron has plenty more military training to keep them busy throughout the autumn, but a number of soldiers are already looking forwards to the next adventurous training expedition, skiing in the French Alps in January.