A GROUP of South West students had an insight into life inside Plymouth’s Royal Navy base when they went on board a warship and a working tug and went through a fitness test.

The youngsters were on a programme of work experience spending a week looking at all aspects of the Royal Navy and support activities keeping warships and submarines on patrol worldwide.

They also saw MOD Police dogs showing off their skills and visited HMS Raleigh to see new Royal Navy recruits learn about the world of submarines. The group also visited Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth where newly qualified officers took part in a ceremonial parade marking the beginning of their naval career.

George Barnes, 16, of Coombe Dean School, Plymouth, said: “It’s been a really good week seeing lots of different things in the navy base. And its very interesting to see and do things I’d not normally get to do. The police dogs are my favourite. I’m very much a dog sort of person. It’s given me ideas about jobs and I’m strongly thinking about joining the navy.’’ Lieutenant Paul Lettington looked after the work experience students.

He said: “We hope to give the students an interesting and enjoyable experience having a rare insight into life in the Royal Navy and into all the organisations that support the Navy. As a bonus this sews the seed for possible job ideas in the future.’’

The schools represented on the work experience week were St Boniface, Torbridge and the Marine Academy, all in Plymouth, Plymouth High School for Girls, Ridgeway School, in Plympton, Torpoint Community College, Coombe Dean School in Plymouth, Plymstock School, Devonport High School for Boys in Plymouth, and Bideford College.