A YOUNG woman from Horrabridge has made her parents 'immensely proud' after recently graduating from basic training at RAF Halton in Aylesbury.

Antonia Frances Rose Lowther, 18, was joined by her parents and fiancé at her graduation ceremony, celebrating the completion of eleven weeks of gruelling basic training for the Royal Air Force.

Former Tavistock College student Antonia said basic training was one of the hardest things she has ever done: 'At times everyone struggles during the eleven weeks and it does get physically and mentally exhausting. However, after graduating, I look back on it and I smile at all the great things I've done, and all the amazing people I have met.

'I think completing basic training has been the most demanding thing I have ever done but at the same time it has been the most rewarding. I have changed so much as a person and look at things in a completely different light.'

She added: 'I recently got engaged as well to Richard Hearn, so I'm on top of the world.'

Antonia said she joined the RAF because she wanted to achieve something for herself other than education and A-levels. 'The RAF has promised to invest in me heavily regarding further education. They have already invested in me through the training completed so far and I am embarking on phase two of my training at the Defence School of Personnel in Hampshire, where I will undertake intensive administrative training over a 12-week period.

'I would like to return to RAF Halton within five years as a corporal or instructor in order to support new recruits through their basic training.'

Antonia said she would recommend the RAF to anybody. She said: 'I would say without a doubt that it has been the best experience of my life and I can't wait to move to my next base.'