A 26-YEAR-OLD man from Kelbrook has shown he has the stamina and courage to rank among the best Servicemen by receiving the coveted Royal Marine Green Beret.

Chris Thornton, who studied at West Craven High School, has successfully completed 30 weeks of the hardest initial training in the world and has now become a Royal Marine Commando.

The Green Beret is the distinctive hallmark of commando troops, indicating that those who wear it have attended and passed a gruelling and physically demanding test of endurance by displaying the commando qualities of unselfishness, cheerfulness under adversity, courage, determination and high professional standards.

Chris said: "Commando training is well known for its intensity but everything we do is progressive, which enables people with all standards of fitness to achieve the final goal and that is to finish training as a Royal Marine Commando and be awarded the Green Beret.

"Thirty weeks of the most arduous training in the world is enough to change any man. It develops unique qualities which will rarely be found anywhere. It's been a fantastic experience for me and I've made some life-long friends among my fellow Royal Marines.

"The sense of achievement felt by all of us is immense but I know that many more challenges are to come, challenges which we are all well equipped to meet."

Chris had to pass a series of commando tests the first being a one and a half mile endurance course negotiating tunnels and water hazards followed by a five and a half mile run back to camp to achieve a markmanship score on a rifle range, all within 72 minutes.

Other tests included a Tarzan Assault Course to be completed within 13 minutes, a nine mile speed march carrying full fighting order, weapon and safety stores in eight hours, and a 30 mile load carry across Dartmoor.