YOUNG people experienced life in the army as they learned how to be the best.

Students at Bolton Sixth Form spent a week at the Swynnerton Army Training Camp in Stoke, while pupils in Year 10 at Bolton School boys' division were visited by the Army North West Outreach Team to develop their leadership and teamwork skills.

Students on the public service course at Bolton Sixth Form College took part in a range of activities, including digital close combat training, fire and manoeuvre, camouflage and concealment and many more military-based training exercises.

A spokesman for the college said: "Students lived the life of a soldier, enabling them to gain vital work experience and develop important qualities such as communication, leadership and teamwork skills. The British Army praised our students for their fantastic work ethic and determination throughout."

Bolton School pupils took part in a challenging morning with the army building their leadership and teamwork skills.

The tasks included a mixture of physical and mental task.

The "gun runner" task required them to remember how to set up their "gun" but also asked them to run races against a rival team while carrying the heavy equipment needed to do so. They transported a stretcher and kit from one side of a "pond" to the other using ropes and recovering items from the centre of a "minefield".

A spokesman for Bolton School said: "Pupils were put through their paces on a variety of ‘command tasks’ which have been designed to engage their problem solving abilities and resilience while also learning to work more effectively together.

"Every activity on the carousel required pupils to work as a team and helped all of the boys to consider good leadership qualities and communication skills as the morning progressed.

"In addition to the activities, pupils had the opportunity to learn more about life in the army and ask questions.

"Year 10 enjoyed the challenges they faced with the Army North West Outreach Team and had fun developing a host of transferable skills."