A 29-YEAR-OLD from Bishop Auckland has celebrated his formal commissioning as a Royal Navy Officer.

Sub Lieutenant Mark Pollard originally joined the Royal Navy as a Rating in 2006.

Selected for promotion to the Office Corps, he was one of the latest group of Officer Cadets on parade to mark the completion of their training in a seven-week bespoke course.

He said: “BRNC Dartmouth has provided me with training and knowledge to make the transition from Royal Navy Senior Rate to becoming a successful Commissioned Officer. I have been able to reflect on my previous experience and concentrate on making this transition, which is most certainly the highlight of my Royal Navy career to date and I feel proud of my achievements.”

SLt Pollard joined the Royal Navy as an engineering technician, following in the footsteps of his father who completed 26 years in the service and reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Weapons Engineering Artificer.

Climbing the ranks himself, SLt Pollard also reached the rank of CPO before he was selected for Officer training. He completed a foundation degree in electrical engineering as part of his promotion course to Petty Officer.

With his course complete SLt Pollard will report to the HMS Collingwood in Hampshire in September for the next stage of his training to qualify as a Weapons Engineering Officer.