A FORMER Bidford barman has qualified as a frontline soldier.

Private Neil Scaife, of Evesham, went through seven months of intensive training before becoming a combat infantryman.

After leaving Alcester High School, Pte Scaife, aged 19, worked as a barman in Bidford before joining the army in October last year.

Having passed through his training in everything from weapons handling and using night surveillance equipment to first aid and fitness, he won the award for best student in his training platoon.

He will now join the 1st Battalion of the Worcester-shire and Sherwood Foresters' Regiment as a rifleman.

The battalion is now based in Chepstow, working as light infantry and specialising in jungle warfare.