MORE than 800 junior soldiers from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate have taken part in three “passing-In” parades.

The soldiers, aged between 16 and 17, marked their first six weeks in the army by taking part in their first military parade.

Family and friends watched and had the opportunity to meet their sons and daughters for the first time since they started at the college.

It was hats off for the junior soldiers as they removed their college berets and replaced them with their new regimental headdress, marking the completion of their first period of initial training.

Lieutenant Colonel Steve Ocock, commanding officer at the college, said: “The junior soldiers should be congratulated on reaching their first of many milestones in the British Army. Their short time at the Army Foundation College has been challenging, but they have shown a steely determination to succeed.”