ARMY cadets from two Swindon detachments have just returned from a two-week adventure in East Sussex.

The youngsters from the Church Place and Peatmoor community centre units spent their time in the Ashdown Forest learning how to patrol, cook rations and build shelters as well as rifle shooting, first aid and jungle training

They also got the chance to go paintballing, quad biking and abseiling.

Major Pauline Eldridge, commander of A Ferozeshah Company based at Church Place, said: "It was an excellent camp. Over 70 boys and girls were there and they worked their hearts out. It was great to see. There was lots to do and we all had a great time."

One of the Swindon cadets, Lance Corporal Peter Saunders, 16, who is waiting to join up for real in October, said: "I have really enjoyed it.

"I'm not sure what mum will say when she sees pictures of me doing the ironing, but I wanted the section to look the best in camp."

Fellow cadet, 12-year-old Grant Wheatley from St Lukes School, added: "Camping out on exercise was great."

Among the instructors at the camp were regulars from the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment along with PT instructors and drivers from the Hullavington-based Queen's Own Ghurkha Transport Regiment.