A Hereford soldier took up a new sporting challenge at the annual Army rowing regatta.

Craftsman Cara Wills, of the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was one of around 90 rowers taking part in the full day of competitions held at Dorney Lake, near Eton.

Potential oarsmen were given the chance to try their hand at a range of rowing skills in different boats - from four and eight-man crews to single and two-man sculling. Incentive for performing well was the chance to be spotted and maybe go on to be part of the Army team.

Cara, 17, was taking part in the regatta for the first time, having taken up rowing on the course. She said: "I like challenging sports and I'm very competitive. I'd always wanted to try rowing but never had the chance.

"The course has been brilliant. It's hard work and you've got to put a lot of effort into it but I've enjoyed it. There's a real adrenaline rush when you're racing. I definitely want to keep rowing up now."

Cara is a former pupil at St Mary's RC High School in Lugwardine and joined the Army last year. She is now training as a vehicle mechanic and has served in Belgium and France. She said: "I fancied the challenge and the travel. I love it. There are lots of opportunities to take up sports that you would never get to do in Civvy Street."

Cara's mother lives in Hereford.