SOLDIERS based at Catterick Garrison have been preparing for deployment to Kenya by training in extreme winter conditions to prove their readiness for the task.

Kingsmen from 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, based at Somme Barracks in the garrison, went to Otterburn, Northumberland for a week of exercises.

The aim of the exercise was to confirm the soldiers’ readiness for their overseas training in Africa this month, where they will be joined by soldiers from the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and other specialist troops from across the army.

Lieutenant Colonel George Maund, Commanding Officer, said: “I am really pleased with the performance of my companies throughout this exercise. The adverse weather conditions gave an additional, and unplanned level of complexity.

“The companies are all at the standard I require of them and I am sure they will respond to the conditions in Kenya with the same resolve and professionalism that they showed in Otterburn.”