A TEENAGE soldier has been presented with a top prize after graduating from the Army Foundation College.

Junior soldier Lauren Dennison, 17, from Darlington, was named the best junior soldier joining the Royal Signals at the military training academy.

The former student at the Longfield Academy of Sport was presented with her prize as part of a passing out parade from the college.

More than 500 junior soldiers graduated from the college, going on to do their second phase of training.

Miss Dennison said: “I am really happy to have won the prize and that all my effort has been rewarded. Now it is time for a bit of holiday before moving on to the next stage of my training in Blandford, Dorset.”

More than 4,000 family members and friends watched the junior soldiers take part in the largest military graduation parade in the country.

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mr Barry Dodd CBE, inspected the Junior Soldiers and presented the prizes.

Lieutenant Colonel William Strickland, the College’s Commanding Officer, said: “It has been long and hard, and sometimes emotional.

“The majority proved equal to the test, and they are the future of the British Army. We are proud of their achievements and we are looking forward to their bright futures.

All Junior Soldiers on the long course are enrolled on the Army apprenticeship, taking exams in English, maths and ICT.

For enrolment information visit: www.army.mod.uk/juniorsoldier