A young soldier from Mossley has already been identified as potential officer material after winning a top army award following completion of his recruit training.

Kingsman George Newton, 21, successfully completed the 26-week long combat infantryman’s course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire and won the best recruit prize.

"He has performed consistently well and has been identified as a candidate for the potential officers development course," his platoon commander Lieutenant Dan Ellis said.

"He is intelligent, proactive and has shown strong leadership potential at this early stage in his career. He fully deserves this prize."

George will receive his award at the pass out parade ceremony at the Infantry Training Centre tomorrow (Friday).

After leaving Ashton Sixth Form College with three A levels, George worked as a media technician and then went to live in Australia for 18 months.

"During my travels I met some soldiers and they never had a bad word to say about the Army," said George. "I thought I'd like to try that, it sounds different. The course at Catterick is a real challenge, but I also enjoyed it."

After some well-earned leave, George will join his new unit the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, in Cyprus. Elements of the battalion are deployed in Afghanistan.