SOLDIERS from Larkhill achieved a prestigious gold medal when they battled the elements and extreme fatigue on one of the toughest patrolling challenges the world has to offer.

Eight soldiers from the 14 Regiment, Royal Artillery team, based at Larkhill, successfully tackled Exercise Cambrian Patrol and gained one of only four coveted gold medals awarded throughout.

The annual event, held in the Welsh Cambrian mountains, is a highlight of the British Army's training calendar and is viewed internationally as one of the most demanding patrolling tests facing the modern soldier.

This year's event attracted 95 teams from the British regular and Territorial Army and Royal Air Force, as well as army teams from Canada, Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, India, France and the Czech Republic. All were pitting their wits, strength and endurance against some of the toughest terrain in the Welsh countryside.

Royal Artillery team member Bombardier Dougie Scott, a skills at arms and urban combat instructor at Larkhill, was facing the patrol for the first time.

He said: "We've been hill walking in Devon to get used to carrying the weight and to get some miles on our legs.

"We've had a team in the patrol for the last two or three years and the best they have ever done is silver, so we know it's quite extreme."

As part of the patrol, the eight-man teams have to cover a distance of 55km in 48 hours, carrying full personal kit and additional supplies weighing up to 60lbs.

The mission presents them with realistic scenarios, with teams encountering advancing enemy patrols. They have to navigate through the night and face a number of gruelling challenges along the way, such as defensive shooting, accurate observation and reconnaissance of enemy forces, and a deep river crossing with full kit.

Successful teams are awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal, or certificate of merit, depending on the number of points they have earned throughout their patrol.

Brigadier Iain Cholerton, commander of the Army's 160 (Wales) Brigade, who is responsible for running the exercise, said that, despite very kind weather, the patrol was as testing as ever. He added: "There were some very impressive performances, but as always those who did well were well-led, well-prepared and physically and mentally robust."

This year, 64 teams completed the exercise. As well as the four gold medals awarded, there were 19 silvers, 26 bronzes and 15 certificates of merit.