TWO young people from Salisbury are continuing the city’s long and proud military tradition by enlisting in the armed forces.

Thomas Hopper has passed out from HMS Raleigh having successfully completed his basic training in the Royal Navy He is a trainee engineer technician (marine engineering), and arrived at the Royal Navy training base in Cornwall in December 2013.

During a 10-week course he has been given a thorough induction into the Royal Navy, learning skills that he will rely on throughout his time in the service.

Mr Hopper, 19, attended Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College, and previously worked as a barman.

He said: “I joined the Royal Navy to see the world. I really enjoyed the banter with my classmates and the PT sessions. As one of my instructors kept telling us ‘it’s a great day to be in the Royal Navy’.”

With the first phase of his training complete, Mr Hopper is heading to HMS Sultan in Gosport, Hampshire.

There he will learn the skills in marine engineering needed to keep the ship running smoothly, safely and effectively.

Once fully qualified, he will work on everything from the ship's hull and engines to its electrical, fuel, hydraulic and fire fighting systems.

Frances Hart, also from Salisbury, was one of about 450 junior soldiers to graduate from the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, celebrating the culmination of months of hard work and dedication by taking part in Europe’s largest military graduation parade.

Private Hart, 17, joined teenagers from all over the country in the parade at Uniacke Barracks, and will now begin the next part of her specialist training, where she will learn how to do her job at home and on operations.

Private Hart, a driver communications specialist, will go on to specialist training with the Royal Logistic Corps.