TWO former Royal Marines are using their expertise in the maritime security and medical training industry to set up their own company in Salisbury.

Matt Blake and Daniel Austin, who officially launched Amala Training & Consultancy last Thursday at the Glenmore Business Park, are specialising in the provision of close protection, maritime security and first aid training along with a whole range of personal development courses.

Already securing an international client base, they will be looking after the Tonga Rugby League team in the upcoming World Cup Games played in the UK in the autumn.

Mr Blake, who played for Salisbury City Football Club U18s and Downton Football Club, spent ten years in the Royal Marines, participating in three tours of Afghanistan with 42 Commando.

In 2008 he was selected to become a recruit instructor at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone and after leaving the Royal Marines last year he was involved with the Olympics, running the operation room for the sailing village in Weymouth and delivering security to the army.

He said: “Dan left the Marines earlier this year after serving for 12 years and was involved with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of the Special Forces Support Group.

“We worked closely together at Lympstone on a training team for three years but have known each other for over nine years.

“We wanted to take our experience of working within hostile situations and our passion for training and inspiring the next generation of Royal Marines Commandos and bring it into the civilian sector.

“Having completed various courses with other companies, we felt we could provide something exceeding the standards witnessed, for a lower price and greater value for money.”

Among those attending an open evening at Amala last Thursday were Salisbury mayor Penny Brown, MP John Glen and patron of the armed forces charity Pilgrims Bandits, Ben Parkinson.

For more details on Amala visit amalatc.com or call 01722 328964.