MORE than 300 Wiltshire Army cadets spent an action-packed fortnight honing their skills in the heart of a Sussex forest.

Youngsters from the Wiltshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) took part in activities ranging from night exercises to quad biking at their annual camp in Ashdown Forest.

Assisted by regular soldiers and adult instructors, the cadets learned to cook and look after themselves in the great outdoors. The camp, between August 1 and 13, also saw young recruits introduced to weapon handling, while elder cadets got to fire a light machine gun.

Those at the camp were as young as 12 and included members from Trowbridge, Melksham, Warminster, Westbury and Corsham detachments.

Cadet James West, 13, of The John Of Gaunt School, in Trowbridge, said: "It has been really good, I enjoyed camping out in the woods and the shooting. Getting up early and keeping the room clean is okay, but we do have to work quite hard."

Stacey Gibbs, 14, from George Ward School, in Melksham, said: "I went on the night patrol. I thought it was going to be easy, but it was so dark that you could not see the person in front.

"The basha (temporary tent) was comfy and I had a good night's sleep. Some of the other girls were afraid of spiders, but I don't mind them."

Fellow George Ward pupil Josh Campbell, 14, said: "It has been excellent. I shot full bore for the first time, it was great. I really enjoyed the field craft and living in the field."

Cadet Charlotte Bronson, 14, from Warminster Detachment, said: "I managed the abseil, it was brilliant to do it. I am afraid of heights, but I didn't look down.

"I really enjoyed the shooting, camp has been great."

Matravers School pupil Katie Leigh, 15, said: "The climbing wall was terrifying, but great fun when you jump down. I think that the quad biking and paint balling were really fun.

"The expedition was hard, we lost our way and did an extra three-and-a-half miles. I have also fired the Light Support Weapon for the first time."

Cadet Sam Owen, 14, from The Corsham School, said: "The shooting was great. I got all 20 rounds on target. I have enjoyed the camp, I am a bit tired, but it has been great."

The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Lieutenant General Sir Maurice Johnston, was very impressed when he visited the camp.

He said: "If people say that the children of Wiltshire are wasters, then they should see these young people from the Wiltshire ACF disprove this they are first class."