The Royal Navy opened its doors to school students to give them an insight into possible future careers.

The work experience students from Devon and Cornwall visited HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth and the basic training centre at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint.

They spent a week on a programme including an energetic start by taking the Royal Navy Fitness test (a 1.5 mile run) followed by a brief on how sailors lead a healthy life. They saw the MOD Police Dog section at work patrolling and training the dogs and were given the rare chance to see on board the large warship HMS Bulwark. 

At HMS Raleigh they were introduced to initial navy training and tried out their marksmanship skills in the indoor computerised firing range. 

The teenagers went on the water by having a river-based tour of the Naval Base on one of the Serco boats which help ferry personnel between ships at sea and visited the floating museum submarine Courageous.

Back on land they were shown around the medical and dental departments in HMS Drake and spent time with the Royal Marines of 1 Assault Group, the Navy’s small boat experts.