AFTER a year of tough physical training, 19-year-old Michael Postgate received a green beret and passed out as a Royal Marine Commando officer.

The hallmark of commando troops, the green beret indicates the successful completion of endurance tests and the display of leadership, courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in adversity.

Mr Postgate, of Malvern, said: "Commando training has been a fantastic experience for me and I've made some life-long friends among my fellow Royal Marines officers.

"The sense of achievement felt by all of us is immense but I know that the training and development process is ongoing and that there will be many more personal and professional challenges to come as we take our place as rifle troop commanders in the Royal Marines around the globe."

The teenager had to pass a series of tests including a 1.5-mile cross country endurance course, a 5.5-mile run carrying 32lbs of equipment and a high marksmanship score on the rifle range.

He also succeeded on a Tarzan assault course, obstacle course, a nine-mile speed march uphill on metalled roads with 32lbs baggage and a 30-mile trek across rugged Dartmoor terrain carrying 40-50lbs of equipment