A SALISBURY soldier has made it into the semi-finals of BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee.

Lieutenant Colonel Neil Stace has been a strong contender in the BBC2 show, which airs tomorrow tonight (Thursday), and has already won six of his 12 challenges so far.

He has been sewing from a young age but admits he joined his school sewing club out of protest.

He said: “I was about 10 years old and started sewing at school – because they allowed girls into the football team. A friend and I joined the sewing club out of protest. I started sewing clothes for my Action Man and it stemmed from there.”

He was soon able to combine his two passions – sewing and rugby – making rugby shorts before moving onto making ball gowns, wedding dresses and even made bridesmaid dresses for his own wedding.

The 47-year-old, who is serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), took his sewing machine with him on tours in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, which sparked a few laughs from his colleagues.

“They all found it quite amusing until they all needed it – I was amazed at how many times the sewing machine was used on operations, fixing and modifying things. I have made everything from sniper suits to ski suits and ammunition pouches.”

During his most recent tour of Afghanistan, he worked with the US Marine Corp helping teach Afghan women how to use sewing machines and other skills like dressmaking.

However, before applying to do the show, which was filmed last May, he admits he had not watched it before.

“I enjoyed it. It has been great fun,” he added.

Tune into the Great British Sewing Bee on BBC2 at 8pm.