HUNDREDS of teenage soldiers have marched on their first parade watched by parents and relatives.

Each of the 860 soldiers at the Army Foundation College (AFC), in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, showed off their military skills in one of three parades at the end of their first six weeks of training.

They replaced college berets with regimental head-dress, marking the completion of their first period of initial training.

The 16-year-olds have been learning military skills, leadership, educational and vocational training at the college since last month and will finish the 42-week course next August.

They will then undertake phase two training elsewhere in the UK before joining their regiments.

The Commanding Officer of the college, Lieutenant Colonel Lee Drakeley, inspected the junior soldiers and took the salute as they marched past.

He said: "This is an important day for these young adults and it is the first chance that they have had to show their families what they have achieved so far in their chosen career.

"The changing of the college beret to their regimental head-dress represents the first real milestone in what is a challenging 12-month course and links them to their regiment of choice.

"It has been a memorable day for them, their parents and the college staff."

Relatives then toured the facilities.

More than 1,000 16-year-old male and female junior soldiers graduate from the college each year.