Two teenage footballers training with Swindon Town have been getting some intensive instruction from the Army.

The pair Chris Collins and Luke Kitchen are both members of the Welsh under 17 football squad.

And recently that squad joined forces with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers to give them a taste of what military life is all about.

Army spokeswoman Carolyn Lloydlangston said the young footballers were able to use the Battalion's excellent sports training facilities at Clive Barracks at Tern Hill, near Market Drayton.

"As part of their training, the Battalion provided the squad with some extra curricula military activities aimed at improving their team skills," she said.

The Welsh team's coach and former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall said there was enormous benefit to be gained from living and working with the Army.

"They share the same values of teamwork and commitment so it has to be good for my lads," he said.

Both Luke, who comes from Gloucester, and Chri, originally from Merthyr Tydfil but now living in Swindon, enjoyed the Army stint.

"It was certainly a new and interesting experience," said Luke.

The link between the Welsh Football Association and The Royal Welch Fusiliers began in August this year when the under 17 squad combined the Milk Cup competition with a visit to the Battalion in Ballykelly during an operational tour of duty in Northern Ireland.