PARADING a smile is Lytham St Annes soldier Sergeant Dave Halliwell, currently serving with the army in Bosnia.

He has been awarded his National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Assessor's certificate after completing the necessary skills training.

Dave, 36, is a Royal Logistics Corps chef serving with 19 Brigade, who form part of the 5,000-strong British contingent to NATO's Stabilisation Force (SFOR).

The operation, code-named Lodestar, is tasked to oversee the cessation of hostilities, maintain separation zones and ensure freedom of movement throughout the country for civilian agencies.

NVQs are sponsored by the Government and apply both in civilian and military careers, they are awarded in recognition of an individual's ability to do their work to an established standard.

The army places great importance on training soldiers to the required level of skill and the assessor's award will enable the holder to carry out NVQ assessments of the work done by soldiers.

Dave said: "I am very pleased to get this award because it not only applies here in the army, but is also valued in civilian life.

"I have been acting as a production manager in Bosnia and I ran a system whereby each time there is a birthday the chefs make a cake and charge 10 DM for charity, we raise quite a bit that way.

"We feed everyone from sergeants to generals and have also had to cater for a royal visit.

"The NVQ system gives us the chance to train up our young soldiers in the kitchen and get the students through more levels than before in less time.

"I enjoy making the cakes and have done special ones for the local mayor.

"I do all the fancy icing and find it relaxing."

Dave attended Lytham St Annes High School before joining the army. He and his wife Carolyn have a son Anthony aged 10.

His mother Margaret lives in St Annes.

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