DRIVING in scorching temperatures under the desert sun of Oman is all in a day's work for a Chester-le-Street soldier taking part in a huge military exercise in the Middle East.
Christopher Elton of the Royal Logistic Corp is one of 22,000 British troops serving Oman as part of the army's Exercise Saif Sareea II.
Christopher, 21, has been providing vital driving support in extreme desert conditions that make sand and wind daily obstacles.
The exercise is being held with Omani troops to provide an experience of a large-scale military deployment in arduous conditions.
Christopher, who joined the Army last year and is on his first operational tour, said: "The heat was hard to get used to and sand gets everywhere.
"I am now looking forward to getting home and meeting friends and family and having a good Christmas together."
The former Hermitage School pupil is due to complete his tour of duty later this month.
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