A NEWLY-recruited Royal Navy sailor from Portland was today taking part in a prestigious and historic field gun competition.

Trainee air engineering technician Phillip Stone-house is one of 18 sailors to have been selected to represent HMS Raleigh at the Junior Leaders Challenge.

With the emphasis on training, the Raleigh Field Gun Crew will compete against junior teams from across the Armed Services, Network Rail and the Prince's Trust.

Training for the competition has been limited to one week and teams will run off against the clock with winners receiving a special trophy.

A former pupil of Royal Manor Arts College, able seaman Stonehouse joined the Royal Navy at the beginning of March.

He is about to start the final week of his eight weeks initial training course which is designed to teach him the basic skills he will rely on throughout his service career.

He said: "I've never taken part in field gun before but I have watched it on TV.

"I feel really proud to be representing everyone at HMS Raleigh and to be part of something you could only dream about in civvy street."

The Junior Leaders' Challenge is the only competition specifically for new recruits, offering them a chance to work as a team and challenge themselves in a unique setting.

It is based on the Brickwood Field Gun competition drill, which is held annually at HMS Collingwood at Fareham and is this year celebrating its 100th anniversary.

It uses similar equipment to the more famous Inter Command Competition, run annually at the Royal Tournament until 1999, but is less complex and has no obstacles. The competition consists of a series of precision moves and two firings.

During the run all of the equipment, equivalent in weight to a small car, is lifted off the ground.

Today's event at HMS Collingwood is the first of its kind and it is hoped that the enthusiasm and professionalism on display by the teams will encourage them to take part in the main Royal Navy Field Gun competition in future years.