A Royal Navy nurse from Horrabridge has been awarded a top prize in the first phase of her training at HMS Raleigh.
Kate Stafford was presented with the Owen Cup for the highest achiever of her entry at the Royal Navy?s training centre at Torpoint.
The 23-year-old former Tavistock College pupil spent eight weeks turning from civilian to sailor on the intensive course which covers seamanship, fire-fighting, weapons training and teamwork.
The Owen Cup is given to the recruit who achieves the highest individual marks in their final examination.
Kate was presented with her award by Rear Admiral Peter Davies, who until recently was the Flag Officer Training and Recruiting.
She said: ?Nursing is my career of choice and the Queen Alexandra?s Royal Naval Nursing Service is without doubt the best within the forces.?
Kate worked as a civil servant in Plymouth and was in the Territorial Army before joining the Royal Navy.
Her father, Chris Stafford, said: ?She wanted to be a nurse from leaving school, but decided to get some experience behind her. After being involved with the forces in the TA she decided to combine her two experiences.?
?I?m delighted and proud as she has put a lot of effort into her training and I look forward to her being successful at what she is doing now.?
Kate is now at the University of Central England in Birmingham for her three-year specialist nursing training.