A Wisbech woman has sailed through her warfare specialist training and will now join her first ship, HMS Ocean.

Leah Parsons, 26, recently graduated from HMS Collingwood, Fareham, Hampshire, completing her Phase Two training with Victory Squadron.

She joined the Royal Navy in January this year to pursue the career she always wanted with the chance to travel.

Miss Parsons, who is originally from Australia but now lives in Wisbech with her mum Andrea, is a former HMP Peterborough Prison employee.

She said her time in the navy so far has been a ‘rollercoaster of emotions’.

After being injured during her initial training, Leah said: “I have pushed myself further than I thought possible.

“I didn’t think I would be able to get where I am now. I’m proud of what I have achieved”, she added.

Leah was a keen gymnast before joining the navy and her career choice follows the footsteps of her uncle who was a warrant officer in the army.

She will now join a team who detect threats to the ship, identifying targets and making crucial tactical decisions.