BRITANNIA Royal Naval College at Dartmoor accepted some new recruits from West Devon recently — a little younger than the normal entrants to the naval establishment.
The 12 recruits were pupils from Mount House School in Tavistock, who spent the day at the college accompanied by their deputy head John Symons and head of English Guy Canning.
After a tour of the college the youngsters were put through some rigorous parade training by Warrant Officer Dave Cooper, before an inspection by Commodore Tony Johnstone-Burt.
During the afternoon, belted safely into lifejackets, the children had a lesson in sea-sense on the River Dart and enjoyed a trip up-river, each having a turn at the helm of the of the college's picket boats.
The day concluded with sports training from Petty Officer Edwards before tea at the Commodore's house.
Commodore Johnstone-Burt, whose daughter, Tiggy, was one of the visiting pupils, said: 'It was a real pleasure being able to show the children how the college works — and who knows, one or two of them may even consider a career in the Royal Navy in the not too distant future.'