REDDITCH-based soldiers are busy honing their skills at an annual camp in east Sussex.

More than 290 men and women from 37 Signal Regiment - comprising HQ Squadron in Redditch, 96 Signal Squadron in Coventry and 67 Signal Squadron in Stratford and Stourbridge - are undertaking activities aimed at developing themselves as Territorial Army soldiers during the two-week camp.

Capt Peter O' Gorman, of 37 Signal Regiment, said: "Each and every TA regiment unit across the UK has to operate one 15-day camp per year.

"It's a chance for our regiment to come together and have a bit of fun, as well as develop ourselves as a regiment and individually."

The first week will see soldiers improve their skills in communications, engineering, driving and electrical maintenance and those that are fully "trade" trained can develop their shooting skills on the camp's firing range.

During the second week they will operate field training exercises designed to test a squadron's reaction to military and civilian scenarios they may be called to work under.

Capt O'Gorman said: "We're a communications squadron, so that means we need to test our units to make sure that if a situation arises that needs military attention, we are capable of dealing with it."

For details about joining the TA, visit www.wm-reserves.co.uk