Hampshire's '˜Tigers' roar during fierce army competition

A total of 48 troops from the 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment – known as the Tigers – spent two days battling for the coveted Battalion Patrols Competition in Folkestone.

The fiercely-contested exercise saw seven sections of infantry soldiers from across the UK braving cold and wet conditions, covering a 14-mile route over tough terrain – all while carrying 35kg of kit.

The soldiers were tested throughout the day and night on a wide range of infantry skills.

There was everything from navigation exercises, first aid and weapon maintenance, to assaulting enemy positions, tackling a host of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear exercises and completing command tasks.

The competition was close with a team of soldiers based in Canterbury eventually clinching the title.