A soldier is celebrating after being named as the best member of his promotion course.

Arran Baldwin, 22, from Swaffham, was selected as top soldier in a junior non-commissioned officer course at his regiment, The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish) based in Sennelager, Germany,

During the course he had to undertake a number of tasks designed to test his readiness for promotion to the higher ranks including planning and leading an attack on an enemy position, military tactics and camouflage techniques.

The freshly promoted lance corporal said: 'It was very demanding both physically and mentally and more advanced than any other training I have done since I joined the army.

'The course covered everything needed to be a better leader.

'As troopers we are used to carrying out orders on a daily basis but this taught us how to plan, give orders, lead and look after the others guys in the section.

'It definitely takes you out of your comfort zone, challenging with a lot to learn but I knuckled down and worked hard to succeed.'

After a course inspection by commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Alex Porter he received notification of his top student status and immediate promotion to lance corporal.

L/Cpl Baldwin, who has been with his regiment for 18 months and whose mother Mandy lives in Swaffham, said: 'There were some really good performances from the others during the course so it's an honour to be selected as the top student and a great feeling.

'It is a good way to finish the course and I am very proud of myself.'