Early morning runs, assault courses, boot polishing and taking orders form a sergeant major are not activities that most students will have chosen to take part in during their Easter break.

But that is what 12 men and four women from colleges across Norfolk and Suffolk are doing this week.

The youngsters, aged between 16 and 19, arrived at Robertson Barracks, Swanton Morley, home of the Light Dragoons, on Tuesday for four days of Army training.

They are being supported in their studies, both A Level and vocational courses, by the Army Further Education Bursary Scheme (FEBS).

The national scheme is in its fourth year. It grants qualifying students �1,000 a year during their studies and guarantees them a job in the forces.

Eight of the students taking part are confirmed bursars and the rest are working towards this. Four already have Army places after they have completed their studies.

Among those are Jack Himpleman, 18, from Poringland, near Norwich, and Alice Tarry, 18, from Fakenham. Both are attending the training for the second year.

Jack is studying A-levels at City College, Norwich and plans to join the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers to train as an aviation technician.

He said: 'I really enjoy my time here and it gives me an insight into what I'll be doing during my basic training.'

Alice is studying A-levels at Fakenham College and will be joining the Royal Army Medical Corps as a combat medical technician.

She said: 'I could not wait to come back. It has been an amazing experience.'

Major Mike Robinson, Army careers advisor for Norfolk and Suffolk, said: 'The first few weeks in the Army can be a shock so this exercise is designed to give young people a flavour of what to expect.'

The students are studying psychology, bricklaying, maths, engineering, music, sport and fitness and leisure and tourism amongst other subjects.

Major Robinson said: 'There is an increasing number of A-level students enrolling on the FEBS.

'There are 220 different roles in the Army. People come into the Army for all sorts of careers.'

To find out more about FEBS visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk