Blisters, bruises and a whole lot of grunting, were just some of the sights and sounds of Tidworth and Ludgershall-based troops as they took part in a Military Skills competition in Sandhurst.

It takes more than just physical fitness to be a soldier in the British Army, and skills, such as stretcher carrying, orienteering and team work are essential to ensure every soldier is an all-rounder.

In the first Military Skills competition for 12 Mechanized Brigade from Bulford, the event was designed to test fitness, shooting and military knowledge, and with more than the 200 soldiers taking part - the rivalry was fierce!

What hill? I'm not looking! Col David Pardy contemplates the Landrover Pull...

Seven teams in total covered an 8-mile course with a 15 kilogramme load and completed a variety of courses including an assualt course, intelligence stand and a landrover pull. The final stand was a march and shoot, which consisted of a 1.5 mile speed march and timed shoot.

Click here listen to Castledown Radio’s Shirley Swain talk to some of the competitors from Ludgershall’s ‘26 Engineer Regiment’ and Tidworth’s ‘The King’s Royal Hussars’.