HUNDREDS of junior soldiers graduated from the first phase of their training yesterday - in one of the largest parades of its type.

Almost 650 students from the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, put their best foot forward to mark the completion of 12 months of work.

Led by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Waterloo, Cambrai and Peninsular companies marched on to the parade ground for an inspection by General Sir Alex Harley.

College commandant Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Garnett and other members of staff watched as the reviewing officer was escorted by 17-year-old Junior Regimental Sergeant major Len Sanders.

"The graduation of the companies marks the individual achievements, over 42 weeks, of all 643 male and female students on the parade," said Lt Col Garnett.

"Not only have they all passed a demanding military syllabus, but more than 80 per cent have qualified for a National Vocational Qualification in information technology."

The students will now go on to phase two training in their chosen discipline - the infantry, Royal Artillery of the Royal Armoured Corps.

l The college opened in 1998 and the first intake was oversubscribed by a factor of three.

It now provides training for 1,344 junior soldiers, taking in students in January and September.